F-16 fighter jets were scrambled on Tuesday after a general aviation aircraft violated FAA restricted airspace over Washington DC, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said. The aircraft was intercepted and escorted out of the area without further incident.
NORAD stated that its F-16s from the Continental US NORAD Region safely intercepted the civilian plane that entered the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) at approximately 11:15 a.m. EDT. The escort ensured the aircraft remained clear of restricted airspace.
The incident prompted a sonic boom heard by residents in the DC area. NORAD reminded pilots to check FAA Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), which apply in the National Capital Region and Mar-a-Lago areas.
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 demonstrated how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada.
