A metal object believed to have fallen from a trans-Atlantic jet landed outside the Maine State House — and nearly hit a Capitol Police officer, officials said.
The dark-colored cylinder landed with a loud bang on a slab of granite lining a cobblestone walkaway about 6 to 8 feet from security screener Craig Donahue on Friday — and came close to hitting the building itself, Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy said.
“It definitely shocked him,” the chief said, referring to Donahue. “He was walking back to the building and got quite a wakeup call.”
The Federal Aviation Administration was alerted on Friday and returned to the State House on Monday as it investigated the object, Clancy said.
Two other people who were in the vicinity witnessed the incident, but no one was hurt.
The FAA believes the metal sleeve, weighing 6 to 7 pounds, came off a wing flap of a large passenger jet. Airlines were notified, and all planes landed safely that day, Clancy said.
This metal sleeve weighing 6 to 7 pounds came off a wing flap of a large passenger jet, according to the FAA. Department of Public Safety
The metal object landed on a slab of granite lining a cobblestone walkaway about 6 to 8 feet from Officer Craig Donahue. Twitter/@MalWGME
The falling object left a mark where it struck the pavement, just steps away from the Maine State House. Twitter/@MalWGME
The place where the metal object landed is frequently used for rallies, protests and press conferences. Portland Press Herald via GettyThe area where the airplane part crashed to the ground is usually busy when the Maine Legislature is in session, and it’s routinely used for rallies, protests and press conferences, he said.
“It could have had very, very tragic results,” Clancy told Bangor Daily News. “And if it struck the State House, it probably would have done some damage.”
With Post wires
