Fighter jets intercept civilian plane in Palm Beach, amid rumors
WPEC • • general
Key Points:
- F-16 fighter jets were scrambled over Palm Beach after a civilian aircraft breached the restricted airspace near Mar-a-Lago, triggering a security response around 1:15 p.m.
- The incident followed the October implementation of a 24/7 flight restriction zone around Mar-a-Lago, and the civilian plane was intercepted after failing to respond to radio calls.
- Initial social media reports of a drone near the airport were clarified by officials as mistaken identity; the security concern was actually the unauthorized aircraft in the restricted zone.
- To gain the pilot's attention, NORAD deployed signal flares, a standard and safe procedure, before safely escorting the plane out of the restricted airspace.
- President Trump, who was at his West Palm Beach golf club during the breach, was never in danger, and Air Force One remained secure on the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport.
