I just heard something terrifying. A missile, or a rocket, or a fighter jet....but

LOW overhead...and louder than anything I have ever heard in our skies before. It got increasingly loud as it broke the sound barrier...but not stopping for quite a long time. It sounded as though it was moving north to south...makes no sense...but incredibly frighteningly loud.

I should add that the sound went on and on and on. It kept getting louder...in the most terrifying way. It rumbled and almost seemed to shake the air around my building.

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

It's usually a popping sound when it breaks the sound barrier. Could it be an over enthusiastic jet jock unaware of the consequences?

If the roar is more prolonged, it's more likely a helicopter.

4meAndyou · F

@Heartlander No. There was no mistaking this sound for a helicopter. Helicopter is to lion roaring as this sound is to godzilla on a rampage.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@4meAndyou (fixed wing) plane pilots can get into serious trouble for low altitude, high speed flights. I believe the max speed limit is still 250 knots below 10,000 feet. Also noise ordinances plus liabilities when they start disrupting livestock or breaking windows.

4meAndyou · F

@Heartlander Nothing shook. I've seen movies where jets breaking sound barriers actually shook houses on their foundations, and rattled the glass in the china cabinets.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@4meAndyou A hundred years ago we lived in an apartment near the Lewis & Clark lookout point, and south departing jets from the old municipal airport would be at window level as terrain rose as fast as heavy jets could climb. And the valley below us over the river locked in the roar to a deafening level.

4meAndyou · F

@Heartlander Only for about 10 seconds could I have called the noise "deafening".