It has happened before, and now it has just happened again: someone was seen flying a jetpack. This time, it happened near Los Angeles International Airport.
This is yet another awkward moment for the FBI, the agency everyone expects to have answers to this hilarious mystery.
In fact, the lawmakers haven't even figured out the person who was flying a jetpack the last time it happened.
This time, the China Airlines crew reported the incident. Apparently, the crew found a man flying a jetpack at 6,500 feet.
He was around seven miles to the north of LAX.
First of all, 6,500 feet is a long way upp into the air, especially for someone with nothing else but a jetpack on his back.
The problem is that the list of potential suspects is endless here. Seriously, anyone could be the culprit, including the incredibly forward-looking tech billionaire, Elon Musk.
With everything that is happening this year, anything is possible.
The Authorities Are Not Amused
Whatever your thoughts are about the 'jetpack man', the FBI and the FAA are not taking this issue as lightheartedly as the rest of us might. As far as these folks are concerned, such a person or people are a serious threat to the US airspace.
Therefore, the jetpack rider has every reason to keep his identity a secret. As we speak, the FAA is working with local law enforcement and the FBI to get information that might lead to his capture.
They are also asking anyone with more information about the incident to bring it to them.
Here is part of the statement the FBI released regarding the repeated incidents of people flying around in jetpacks:
"The FBI is in contact with the FAA and is investigating multiple reports of what, according to witnesses, appeared to be an individual in a jetpack near LAX, including one today reported by a China Airlines crew. Anyone with information should contact the FBI at 310 477-6565."
So, if you are an LA resident who is as uncomfortable with people flying around aimlessly in jetpacks, you know what to do.
Some telltale signs your neighbor might be the guy in question include evidence that he buys lots of jet fuel and that there are always loud strange noises in his garage.
Unfortunately, it is not clear if we are talking about a single man in a jetpack or several guys. No one seems to have enough information to explain if the recently seen 'jetpack man' is the same one seen in August.
However, we can admit that having multiple people in jetpacks flying around is a little unsettling, especially for air travelers. We usually only expect this kind of stuff when watching Michael Bay movies.
The First 'Jetpack Man' Incident Happened Back In August
The first sighting was similarly reported by airline crew. An American Airlines pilot called the control tower with these words:
"Tower, American 1997, we just passed a guy in a jetpack."
The tower wanted to know more:
"American 1997, OK, thank you. Were they off to your left or right side?"
To which the pilot said:
"Off the left side, maybe 300 yards or so, about our altitude."
It Might Not End Well For The Jetpack Man
At this point, it is increasingly apparent that a large plane might get the man long before the FBI does. We don't need to speculate on how that will end.
However, not everyone thinks that all this is even possible.
David Mayman, the CEO of Jetpack Aviation, is at a loss to understand how the man could have taken off without anyone noticing:
"How is it that nobody saw them take off and land? That's what I don't understand. These machines are pretty noisy."
Even the possibility of flying at 6,000 feet seems very unlikely to David:
"We would never fly very high without a parachute system. At 6,000 feet it would just take us too long. We'd run out of fuel."
That said, it is a little early to discount the possibility that a guy is flying dangerously high in nothing but a jetpack. If the FBI and other authorities have not given up hope of finding out who this man is, why would we?
