FAA Doesn't Have The Answer

FAA investigators have been unable to explain how Vicki Morris was misted with what she claims was jet fuel dumped by an aircraft flying overhead. She lives under the approach path to Tampa International Airport, and airplanes fly over all day.

Morris said she was walking her dog last Monday evening about 7:00, and suddenly found herself gasping for air, with her skin burning. A neighbor agreed with the story, saying that the stench of the fuel was so strong Monday night that she feared an explosion and fire according to media reports.

FAA officials had originally said that there were no airplanes over the subdivision at the time. A more thorough review of radar logs showed five aircraft flew over the area between 6:56 p.m. and 7:05 p.m on Monday. None of the aircraft have the ability to intentionally dump fuel according to FAA Official Kathleen Bergen.

Two of the aircraft were commercial jets, one was a corporate jet, and two were propeller-powered Carriers according to Bergen. She said that an FAA investigator visited Morris this week and examined a vial of the substance that fell on her. The investigator said it could be jet fuel it also could be another type of fuel.

"Right now, we cannot confirm the fuel came from an aircraft,"' Bergen said. "There is no evidence of any mechanical problem that would have caused any of the aircraft to lose fuel."

Not satisfied with the FAA's response, Morris is convinced that the mist came from a jet. "I'm 100 percent sure, especially now with the way they're covering it up," she said Friday afternoon.

She said all she wanted was a letter of apology from the responsible party.

FMI: www.tampaairport.com