F-16 fighter jets raced to the skies to intercept a civilian aircraft after it was found to violate restricted airspace
Residents in Washington DC said they heard a ‘sonic boom’ today after F-16 fighter jets were deployed to the skies.
The jets reportedly scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft that violated restricted airspace at around 11.15am. Locals heard the mighty noise as the planes flew to escort the plane from a restricted area over the US capital.
Washington DC is protected by one of the most tightly controlled airspace zones, known as the Special Flight Rules Area, reports The Mirror.
Pilots must follow strict procedures and maintain constant communication with air traffic control to prevent unauthorised incursions within the 30-nautical-mile radius.
The US air force confirmed fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a “general aviation aircraft” which violated restricted airspace. It was escorted away from the area.
It also reminded pilots to be aware and keep up-to-date on areas with restrictions including around Washington DC and Mar-a-Lago in Florida where Donald Trump has his home.
North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) wrote on X: “Earlier today, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region safely intercepted a general aviation aircraft that violated #FAA restricted airspace over the United States National Capital Region, and escorted it clear of the area without further incident.
“Pilots are reminded to check all #FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), including in the National Capital Region and Mar-a-Lago regions.”
A statement from NORAD also read: “Should NORAD aircraft intercept a general aviation aircraft, the pilot should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies.
“NORAD employs a layered defence network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats. The identification and monitoring of the civilian aircraft demonstrate how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada.”
The reminder to pilots comes due to frequency of planes drifting into restricted areas. There have been multiple similar cases in recent months of planes entering into prohibited airspace where Donald Trump has been staying.
Last September there were reportedly six unauthorised planes which entered restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, over just one weekend while Donald Trump was staying at his golf course.
And it led to NORAD being activated with jets investigating the trespass and intercepting the plane. In the incidents over Bedminster they were all small private aircraft which were directed away from the Trump National Golf Club, according to the US Air Force, which intercepted one of the planes with F-16 fighter jets.
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