Voice ‘Pirate’ Over Airport Is Investigated

The FBI is seeking the source of “pirate” radio transmissions to commercial and private pilots flying over Orange County, Federal Aviation Administration officials said Monday.

Although the transmissions have not caused any plane to deviate from its normal course, FAA spokeswoman Elly Brekke said, “it is a serious concern any time someone attempts to interfere with air traffic control. . . . There is an ongoing FBI investigation.”

FBI officials declined comment.

At John Wayne Airport, spokeswoman Courtney Wiercioch said the voice being transmitted was that of a young man who says things like, “American, what runway are you lined up for?”

Wiercioch said officials believe the transmissions are originating near the airport’s “outer marker,” which is in Anaheim.

Brekke said that further details were being withheld at the request of the FBI in order not to compromise the agency’s investigation.

Such unauthorized voice transmissions are rare, Brekke said.

“A voice is coming up on the frequencies that the pilots use,” she said. “But the pilots’ and air traffic controllers’ phraseology is by the letter of the book, so it’s not too difficult to tell that a voice is not a controller’s.”

The FAA has included an “airman’s alert” about the radio transmissions on John Wayne Airport’s Automated Terminal Information Service, a telephone number that pilots call for the latest weather and runway approach information.

The message states: “Attention all aircraft, be alert to the possibility of unauthorized air traffic clearances issued on ATC frequencies in the Southern California area. If you receive a transmission that is questionable, verify with ATC.”

ATC is an abbreviation for “air traffic control.”

Officials said interference with air traffic control is a felony punishable by a fine and imprisonment.