FAA Issues Emergency Revocation Order Against Joseph Kirbow

A Beaumont, TX pilot who was caught on video buzzing Crystal Beach in Texas in his Diamond DA40 won't be flying for a year after the FAA revoked his pilot certificate.

The FAA confirmed Wednesday that it had issued an emergency revocation order against Joseph B. Kirbow for flying at times no more than 15 feet AGL. The Houston Chronicle reports that part of the testimony included in the revocation order indicates that Kirbow told his two passengers he planned to "buzz the beach."

Witnesses said Kirbow made several low passes over cars and people at the beach on March 31. One reported the plane was so low it blew his hat off. According to the FAA's license revocation order, "You flew so close to another individual on the beach that you broke his fishing pole when your aircraft snagged his fishing line." The order goes on to say that Kirbow told a passenger that he had buzzed the beach many times, and that he would not get in trouble for it. The order said he later tried to get one of the passengers to back up his story that he was experiencing engine problems when he flew so close to the ground.

Diamond DA40 File Photo

But the FAA wasn't buying any of it. "You lack the qualification to be the holder of an airman certificate," the order said. Kirbow has the right to appeal the revocation.

FMI: www.faa.gov