To Boom or Not to Boom

Homeowners in Bonaire and Kathleen—two small, Georgia towns about halfway between Atlanta and Savannah—allege their dwellings were damaged by an F-15 flyover staged to add a dash of patriotic panache to a Southeast Region Little-League Tournament game played in neighboring Warner Robins, Georgia.

Following the flyover, Facebook users sang out a series of allegations to the tune of sonic boom, broken windows, shattered glass doors, collapsed porch ceilings, and even damaged foundations.

Bonaire resident Allyssa Lee remarked, “It sounded like an airplane had crashed right outside on the street.”

Kristie Tarleton of Kathleen—who recorded the incident on a baby-monitor—stated: "I live about three miles from the Little League fields and the plane went right over my house. It was the loudest sound I have ever heard. They say it did not break the sound barrier and it was at an approved altitude, [but] I am willing to put my life on it that those statements are false... I honestly thought it was some sort of terror attack or a plane coming down in my backyard."

Roland Leach, a representative of nearby Robins Air Force Base, at which the offending aircraft is based, asserted the plane never descended below the approved altitude above 1,600-feet and maintained an appropriate, subsonic speed throughout the duration of the flyover. Nevertheless, Robins Air Force Base officials have invited riled homeowners to file their complaints with the 78th Air Base Wing Office of Public Affairs. The Air Force investigates such complaints and reimburses civilians when appropriate.

The flight was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Aerial Events Support office and the local Federal Aviation Administration.

Of note is the fact that two sonic booms resultant of regular F-15 flight tests were recorded some hours after the Warner Robins flyover. The USAF often conducts high-speed testing of F-15s subsequent extensive airframe or engine maintenance or overhaul.

Mr. Leach adds: "There's a prescribed route that they have to fly that's south of Robins, between Columbus all the way to Cordele. That's what they call the supersonic run ... or Macon echo [route]. Normally those are flown over 40,000 feet. And when they go supersonic as far as the flight test, that's when you hear a sonic boom."

FMI: www.af.mil