Mysterious metal object falls from sky, nearly hitting Maine Capitol Police worker

A metal object believed to be from an airplane fell from the sky and landed right outside the Maine State House, nearly making contact with a Capitol Police worker, authorities said Monday.

The Augusta State Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration were notified by Capitol Police of the incident that took place Friday, according to a news release from the state's public safety department.

“The 6-7 pound sleeve-like object landed at a high velocity approximately 6-8 feet from Capitol Police Screener Craig Donahue who was walking outside the entrance,” the release said, per CNN.

No one was hurt in the incident.

An FAA spokesperson told USA TODAY on Tuesday it is aware of the report and is investigating what the object is.

"The FAA has launched an investigation while attempting to locate the source of the part which is likely from a large airliner on an international route."

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The FAA notified airlines Friday that were flying over Augusta at the time. Two other witnesses were in the area and saw the object fall around 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The metal hit with a loud bang on a patch of granite lining over a cobblestone walkway that's often used for rallies, protests and press conferences. The object narrowly missed the security worker and almost hit the building itself.

“It definitely shocked him,” Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy said. “He was walking back to the building and got quite a wakeup call.”

Contributing: The Associated Press. 

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Airplane object falls from sky, nearly hitting Maine Capitol Police