‘Meow, Meow’ in the Cockpit: FAA Opens Investigation After Pilots’ Animal Sounds Stunt Goes Viral
A bizarre audio clip capturing two pilots exchanging animal noises over an air traffic control frequency has gone viral on social media, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to launch a formal investigation.
The exchange reportedly took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12. In the widely circulated audio, one pilot is heard saying “meow meow,” to which another pilot responds with dog barking sounds. The stunt drew immediate backlash on the same frequency — one voice told the pilots, “You guys need to be professional pilots,” while another took a sharper jab: “This is why you still fly an RJ,” a reference to regional jets, where most aviators begin their careers.
The FAA, in a statement, said it strictly prohibits pilots from engaging in “non-essential conversations” while flying below 10,000 feet. “Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft. The FAA investigates all situations where pilots may have violated any regulation,” the agency said. The FAA also clarified that the viral audio originated from a third-party source, but confirmed it would investigate once the clip is verified.
🚨#BREAKING: The FAA has announced that they will investigate an incident after two pilots were heard meowing and woofing on an emergency aviation frequency. pic.twitter.com/OkOdptf2lN
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 16, 2026
The identities of the pilots, and the airlines they were flying for, remain unknown.
Dennis Tajer, a pilot and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association which represents American Airlines pilots told ABC News that he had heard pilots meowing on the so-called “guard” frequency before. That channel, reserved exclusively for emergencies, sees limited routine use precisely because of its critical role.
“It’s not entertainment, it’s a serious frequency, and it has a serious purpose,” Tajer said. “Anything that contaminates that with idle humour or any kind of schtick is not received well, and it should stop.”
Tajer had a direct message for the pilots involved: “For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe, and we’ll keep that frequency sacred and protected.”