Pilot Claims Counterpart Pointed Gun at Him in Flight

In a new twist on the outbreak of shootings from moving vehicles, the pilot of a Cessna reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that the pilot of another small plane pointed a gun at him as the two aircraft passed each other Tuesday 30 miles off Newport Beach.

However, when FAA investigators located the other pilot, who was flying a distinctive white-and-green Citrabria, he denied pulling a weapon, FAA spokeswoman Elly Brekke said. Both pilots, who were not identified, are employed as “fish spotters” who fly above the ocean to find schools of fish and relay the information to fishing boats, she said.

Competition Indicated

Both pilots indicated there was competition over fishing locations, she said. The Citrabria pilot said the Cessna pilot had dropped a brick from his plane close to the fishing boat that employed the Citrabria, she added.

The Cessna pilot claimed the Citrabria pilot passed “within a few feet of his aircraft” about 11:20 a.m. and pulled out the gun as they were flying at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 feet, Brekke said.

The Cessna pilot radioed a description of the plane to the approach control facility at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, and a Marine helicopter pilot in the vicinity saw the Citrabria but was unable to read its identification numbers.

However, following up on an interview with the Cessna pilot, FAA investigators tracked down the Citrabria pilot at a Southland airport, Brekke said.

Investigation Continuing

The FAA is continuing the investigation to determine whether FAA prohibitions against dangerous and reckless flying were violated. If there is evidence that a gun was involved, Brekke said, the matter will be turned over to the FBI, which has jurisdiction over interference with air transportation.