Super Bowl XXXVII

Unlawful entry?

The FAA says Tampa police failed to get clearance to rappel into Raymond James Stadium on Monday night. The federal agency is investigating the stunt as an unsafe operation.

By JEAN HELLER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 29, 2003

TAMPA -- The fans behaved, but the police were busted.

The Federal Aviation Administration notified the Tampa Police Department on Tuesday that it is under investigation because it failed to obtain clearance for a stunt at Monday night's big Tampa Bay Buccaneers rally at Raymond James Stadium.

Before the team arrived, one of TPD's new Bell 407 helicopters flew into the stadium jammed with about 65,000 cheering fans and hovered over the turf while two officers rappelled to the ground. Afterward, the ropes were retrieved and the helicopter departed.

"We are investigating it as an unsafe operation," said Christopher White, a spokesman in the FAA's southeastern regional office in Atlanta.

"They didn't get the required waiver, which would have allowed our safety people to evaluate the operation to make sure that it was safe. There might have been security concerns, too."

In the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, the FAA declared all sports stadiums to be no-fly zones, so that even the camera-carrying blimps that usually hover over games were grounded.

While those restrictions have eased, it wasn't clear Tuesday whether police aircraft conducting nonlaw-enforcement operations still need security waivers to approach a stadium with an event in progress.

The Police Department wasn't saying much about the situation.

"We were contacted by the FAA, and they questioned the safety and security of us hovering inside the stadium," said spokeswoman Katie Hughes. "They are reviewing video and will get back to us as to whether they think we put the public in danger. We'll accept whatever their decision is."

Hughes said approval for the stunt came from the department's aviation squad, a branch of the special operations division, led by Lt. Jill Ramsten.

It also was unclear Tuesday what sanctions might be imposed if the FAA does find the department in violation of federal regulations.

Hughes said the department is asked to perform such stunts frequently, from rappelling out of helicopters to rappelling down the sides of buildings.

She expressed disappointment that there might be ramifications because of Monday's stunt.

"It was like the highlight of the night," she said, then hastened to add, "well, until the team arrived."