PALM BAY, Fla. — An unexpected sight -- and sound -- had many in southern Brevard County thinking the worst Monday afternoon.

  • People took to social media to report low-flying plane
  • Plane seen over Melbourne, Palm Bay, West Melbourne
  • Air Force says the plane was performing normal drills

It's turns out a large military plane was flying overhead, performing normal flight patterns.

But for people going about their day, the low-flying plane rattled them. Many posted video and pictures of the large Air Force plane making a slow turn over south Brevard, including the cities of Melbourne, Palm Bay, and West Melbourne.

 

The sight made the rounds on local social media, as users speculated what kind of plane it was, and if something was wrong and it wasn't able to land.

Others say the aircraft rattled their homes.

Michelle McCarthy of West Melbourne was in her car on Palm Bay Road and felt it shake. She looked up and saw the plane flying overhead. She found out she wasn't the only one concerned, as she checked social media when she got home.

"People were speculating, so it's important before you start sharing things or saying things, it's important to find out what's really happening," McCarthy said.

The 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base says the plane was doing patterns and performing "touch and go" drills, which is normal.

Black smoke seen coming from the engines is normal too, as the pilot increases power to the engines.

The Air Force doesn't release flight plans to the public for security reasons. It also didn't identify the type of plane.