This is the hair-raising moment a pilot dangerously low flew over his childhood home during his final flight before retirement.
Icelanders were left in shock as the huge plane flew just meters above their rooftops.
Eyewitnesses captured the terrifying incident on video, where the plane can be seen first appearing over nearby hills.
The pilot then flew the Boeing 757 dangerously close to the rooftops of the Westman Islands or the small village of Vestmannaeyjar.
Flying directly over homes, the aircraft made residents anxious and uneasy.
The flight took off from Frankfurt to Iceland.
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Linda Gunnarsdottir, Icelandair’s chief flight officer, told local media outlets that the pilot had taken a sightseeing flight over his childhood home without the company’s permission or knowledge.
It has since been revealed that the pilot performed the stunt just before landing his final flight before retirement.
The airline has since referred the incident to the police and Icelandic transportation rights.
Since then, investigation into this dreadful incident has been started.
“Everything in the aviation industry is very rigid in work processes, checklists and other things,” Gunnarsdottir said.
“What we do on normal passenger flights – it doesn’t fall within that framework,” he said.
The flyover is a tradition associated with military aircraft, which usually carry a maximum of five passengers.
Such demonstrations are commonly held during events including VE Day celebrations in the UK.
It is not necessary to take them to such a low height.
Flyovers are also not ideal for commercial pilots flying the Boeing 757, which can seat about 200 people.
Less risky retirement traditions – including a water cannon salute from ground control staff – have also been documented.
The airline has expressed regret over the incident.
“We apologize to the residents of Vestmannaeyjar if they have been inconvenienced,” Gunnarsdottir told local outlet Vizir.
The Sun has contacted Icelandair for comment.
The Westman Islands are part of a volcanic archipelago off the coast of southern Iceland.
