A failed rocket launch by SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, last January endangered several passenger planes, The Wall Street Journal reports. The unmanned rocket exploded during a test flight.

Documents from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) show that SpaceX did not immediately report the explosion to air traffic control. This endangered three passenger planes over the Caribbean.

The crew of a JetBlue flight to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, was reportedly told they could only continue their flight at their own risk.

Debris flew through the air for nearly an hour, according to the newspaper. Air traffic controllers in Miami only learned of the debris when the pilots told them to navigate through it. At least one of the planes reportedly made an emergency landing in San Juan.

SpaceX has responded to the article on X. The company calls it a false story and emphasizes that no plane was endangered.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)

SpaceX has responded to the article on X. The company calls it a false story and emphasizes that no plane was endangered.

Of course that is what they would say. <rollseyes> If pilots reported
seeing debris, I would tend to believe them.

Mike


* SLMR 2.1a * Never fight with a bear in his own cave.
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