New Year's Eve

Fighter Jets Intercept Plane That Violated Mar-a-Lago Airspace During Visit From President Trump

Officials said the plane was some 29 miles north of Palm Beach when the intercept occurred at 4:24 p.m. Sunday

What to Know

  • Officials said the plane was some 29 miles north of Palm Beach when the intercept occurred at 4:24 p.m. Sunday.
  • NORAD said the pilot told officials he was unaware of the restrictions.

Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a private plane that was flying in air space prohibited by President Trump's visit to Florida.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command spokesman tells news outlets the fighter jets from Homestead Air Reserve Base were already patrolling the area near Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence on New Year's Eve when they were alerted that the plane violated airspace restrictions.

Officials said the plane was some 29 miles north of Palm Beach when the intercept occurred at 4:24 p.m. Sunday.

Residents told The Palm Beach Post that they heard the jets' loud engines overhead. They escorted the plane to the North Palm Beach County General Aviation airport.

NORAD said the pilot told officials he was unaware of the restrictions. The Federal Aviation Administration will determine whether the pilot should be fined.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us