Viral Boeing 777 low-pass confirmed by flight data; Qatar Airways not involved, says Mammoth Freighters

A spectacular video showing a Boeing 777 freighter in Qatar Airways Cargo colours performing an extremely low pass over a runway in Texas has gone viral on social media, sparking debate over whether the footage was genuine and whether the aircraft was being operated by Qatar Airways.

Flight tracking data analysed by Flightradar24 confirms that the manoeuvre did indeed take place.

The aircraft involved was Boeing 777-200LR freighter, registered N705DN, a former Delta Air Lines aircraft converted into a freighter by Mammoth Freighters. The low pass took place at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center (KDZB) in Texas.

According to Flightradar24, ADS-B data recorded the aircraft at a minimum altitude of 950 feet above mean sea level while passing over the runway. Once corrected for local air pressure and the airport’s elevation, the aircraft was flying at approximately runway level, matching what is seen in the widely shared footage.

As speculation mounted online, Mammoth Freighters issued a statement on Thursday distancing both itself and Qatar Airways from the flight.

“Mammoth is not the owner of the aircraft and Mammoth was not in control of the aircraft at the time of the maneuver,” the company said.

It added that while the aircraft is painted in Qatar Airways Cargo livery, it is still undergoing final preparations before delivery and was under the control of its current owner.

The company further stressed that the aircraft was “not owned or operated by Qatar Airways, did not carry a Qatar Airways registration, and that the pilots flying the aircraft were not Qatar Airways pilots.”

The clarification comes after many viewers assumed the aircraft was already in service with the Doha-based carrier because of its distinctive livery.

The aircraft’s owner, Jetran LLC, has also reportedly confirmed that the flight was a pre-delivery test flight and acknowledged that the manoeuvre does not reflect normal operational standards. The company said it expects aviation authorities to investigate the incident.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since opened an investigation into the low pass to determine whether any regulations were violated.