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Icelandair Reports Unauthorized Low Flyover by Retiring Captain to Authorities

Regulators are reviewing possible rule breaches following the low pass.

Overview

  • The Boeing 757 on Icelandair flight FI521, which descended over Vestmannaeyjar on Saturday, was flying from Frankfurt to Keflavík.
  • Icelandair reported the incident to police and the Icelandic Transport Authority, issued an apology to residents, and opened an internal review.
  • Flight data showed 1,375 feet near the islands, while some reports cited about 100 meters, with tracking gaps near cliffs leaving the true minimum unclear.
  • The captain was on his final trip before retirement and grew up on the islands, yet company leaders said the low pass lacked authorization.
  • Residents described loud noise and shaking as the jet flew overhead, and regulators are now weighing if minimum-altitude rules and procedures were breached.