Sonic boom heard in Maryland from F-16s intercepting aircraft in DC

[RadishRose]

A Cessna Citation crashed into the mountains of Virginia with4 on board.

It violated airspace of DC and the Capitol just prior, so the F-16's were scrambled. Flares were used to get attention from the pilot but no response. It was weird that the plan was enroute north to Long Island then did a 180 turn to DC.

It seems the pilot may have died or passed out prior.

 

[Sunny]

Nobody around here seems to have heard it. I didn't hear it either. Maybe it was heard in other parts of MD.

 

[Been There]

A Cessna Citation crashed into the mountains of Virginia with4 on board.

It violated airspace of DC and the Capitol just prior, so the F-16's were scrambled. Flares were used to get attention from the pilot but no response. It was weird that the plan was enroute north to Long Island then did a 180 turn to DC.

It seems the pilot may have died or passed out prior.

The F-16 must have really been moving to build up enough pressure to create a sonic boom. They are done to get the other pilot’s attention, but can also cause structural damage to smaller aircraft. If their flares (or sparklers) doesn’t get a pilot’s attention, he’s out of it.

I read they believe the accident was caused by the pilot suffering from hypoxia. I will wait to see what the NTSB comes up with.

 

[RadishRose]

I read the F16 had permission to go super-sonic. Could this hypoxia be caused by something wrong with the pressure?

The owner's daughter, grandaughter and her nanny were the passengers.

 

[JustDave]

I read the F16 had permission to go super-sonic. Could this hypoxia be caused by something wrong with the pressure?

The owner's daughter, grandaughter and her nanny were the passengers.

The Citation frequently flies above commercial jets, so they definitely need pressure to keep everyone conscious.

 

[Tommy]

I recall from my childhood that it wasn't unusual to hear occasional sonic booms from the jets flying out of nearby Selfridge AFB in Mount Clemens, MI. At some point, the government must have put restrictions on flying supersonic over populated areas. I suppose some people found it irritating.

 

[Been There]

I read the F16 had permission to go super-sonic. Could this hypoxia be caused by something wrong with the pressure?

The owner's daughter, grandaughter and her nanny were the passengers.

That’s cool. I flew an F-18 and over water when we go supersonic, we can create some pretty good water spouts. That’s a lot of pressure.

 

[Been There]

The Citation frequently flies above commercial jets, so they definitely need pressure to keep everyone conscious.

The Citation, being a smaller aircraft, just like the Gulfstream or many other brands of smaller jets, normally fly higher than commercial jets to save fuel and get more speed. I am assuming the cabin was pressurized, but sometimes the warning device fails or it just happens that it gets overlooked. Hardly ever, but it has happened on older models.

The NTSB will figure it out. They don’t have cold cases, well just a couple. I thought about taking a job on the NTSB, but let’s just say, I wouldn’t have been a good fit.

 

[Pepper]

As a kid, remember hearing sonic boom several times. Great sound.

 

[JustDave]

I live in a low population density part of southern Virginia. The naval base about 200 miles away uses our area to train over where they can fly low at breathtaking speeds. I've yet to hear anyone complain. It's a phenomenal experience to see and actually feel 5 of them fly by in succession. It must be terrifying to be the enemy, although you don't hear them coming until they are there, and then they are gone.