Two Dutch F16s where scrambled for intercept today of an unidentified plane. The plane turned out to be a B737-400 from Air Europa flying from Bergen to Palma de Mallorca. The F16s from Leeuwarden AB intercepted the plane at supersonic speeds.
All along the fligth path of the F16s emergency services where scrambled as well. Not because of fears of 9/11 style attacks (the 737 was still over sea), but because of the F16s! The sonic boom led many people to believe there where explosions. Almost every firefighter in the region was called to the fire station for immediate deployment once the location of the explosions was known. Some where even rushed to industrial areas with potentially explosive installations like gas stations and chemical plants!
By: tenthije - 2nd May 2004 at 21:52
Don’t know the altitude.
The 734 was unidentifiable. Why so I do not know yet. That is being investigated. Either the plane was using the wrong transponder code, or Eurocontrol was given the wrong transponder code by ATC Norway.
We’ll have to wait for the truth to be revealed.
By: Jeanske_SN - 2nd May 2004 at 21:49
At what altitude do they break the sound barrier? What was the 734 doing wrong?
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May 2, 2004 at 9:46 pm