CNBNews

UPDATE, WITH A NEW PHOTO

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 31, 2023)--The helicopter circled over North Stinson Avenue. As mentioned earlier the pilot and the passengers inside the helicopter waved to the people on the ground who stood in astonishment as the Chinook flew over their homes. (photo credit Ben Vautier)

UPDATE: A number of the comments on our Facebook page state that it is
commonplace to see this helicopter flying in South Jersey. And we agree with those individuals.  The difference in this situation is the pilot was flying so low. People said their houses shook, and dishes and pots and pans rattled in their kitchens. Did the pilot
violate FAA regulations by being that low?

According to FAA Guide to Low Flying Aircraft (https://www.faa.gov) Over congested areas – Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. The manual states that Helicopters are treated differently Helicopters – Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

NOTE: From May 31 when this article was first published up until Saturday, June 3 this article has received over 88,000 views on our Facebook page and has had 10,000 engagements. 

+++++

UPDATE: Kevin Cleary, a former resident of Gloucester City and a past Logan Township Police Officer sent the following information about the Chinook that was seen today flying over Gloucester City and other towns in South Jersey.

"This type of helicopter normally flies every day from the Boeing facility I believe in Ridley Township PA. When I was on the job in Logan Twp. it would fly from their facility across the Delaware River south into NJ to transport supplies somewhere. I saw it over my house today too. Maybe they changed flight plans or are delivering supplies to a new place. " 

 

(Editor's Note, Kevin is my nephew)

photo credit Tom Pierman

QUICK DRAW MCGRAW--Benny, the individual who took the photo said, "I was out front with my dog when that helicopter flew over. I knew I only had seconds to capture that image.  And, just like 'Quick Draw McGraw'  I grabbed my phone and took the photo. I surprised myself that my reflexes were still that sharp. The Chinook  was flying exceptionally low, so low that I could see the people inside it."

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (MAY 31, 2023)(CNBNews)--Earlier today at around 10 AM, a Boeing CH-47 Chinook was spotted flying over parts of Gloucester City, NJ. Some residents reported that it flew so low that their houses shook. One man from the Riverview Heights area of the city shared that he heard a loud noise and saw the huge helicopter coming towards him. He went inside to grab his camera, but by the time he returned outside, it was gone. His wife added that the dishes in their cabinets began to rattle and it felt like the whole house was shaking at one point. The CH-47 Chinook is one of the most recognizable military helicopters in the US, with its twin-engine roar and deadly tandem rotors. It is primarily used as a transport helicopter due to its significant size and can cost between $25 million and $32 million.