One who saw the event on live television sent a text message to Kopacek saying it looked too low. Another grounded Kopacek and another pilot, who were forced to drive back to Vance Air Force base in Oklahoma after staying the night in Kansas.

While video of the flyover was spreading on the Internet, Kopacek asked one of the pilots whether he knew how to remove YouTube links and the investigation found that some clips were removed. Kopacek told investigators his father played a role in that effort, but he did not.

Browne, Kopacek's superior, wrote in an email to another official that he was "fuming mad" about what Kopacek had done. And he noted Kopacek already had been disciplined several times.

Kopacek had experience leading flyovers and had a largely successful 10-year career around the globe. But in May 2007, he was counseled for "repeated demonstrations of lack of professionalism" and poor decision-making that included showing up late, missing a flight briefing and failing to notify a superior about an absence.

Lt. Col. David Clinton wrote he knew of "several other instances" where Kopacek's responsibility has been questioned and warned Kopacek to avoid any further slip-ups.