ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Air Force officials say four Georgia-based fighter pilots are restricted from flight duties after their fighter jets swooped over a football stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Carolina Panthers practiced.
Officials at Moody Air Force Base in south Georgia say four A-10C Thunderbolt IIs flew over Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte at low altitude and the pilots will be on restricted duty pending results of inquiry into the incident.
Air Force Col. Thomas Kunkel said in a statement to The Associated Press the base is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to look into the matter.
Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera, who witnessed the flyover, said the pilots “waved at us as they went over.” Rivera said the team was caught off-guard, but that it was “pretty awesome” to see.
___
Reed reported from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.