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yesterday

NORAD F-16s Intercept Plane Over Palm Beach After TFR Violation

Officials say a brief loss of radio contact near the presidential airspace prompted the response with no threat to the president.

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A view of Mar-a-Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
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Overview

  • NORAD jets intercepted a general aviation plane that entered a Temporary Flight Restriction near Palm Beach around 1:15 p.m. Sunday.
  • The F-16s fired bright flares to get the pilot’s attention, a standard signal that burns out quickly and is not dangerous to people on the ground.
  • The FAA briefly ordered a ground stop at Palm Beach International Airport as controllers lost contact with the plane, then lifted it after radio contact was restored.
  • Officials said the aircraft was escorted out of the restricted zone with no threat to President Trump or Air Force One, and they refuted early drone claims seen in a viral passenger video.
  • TFRs protect airspace when the president is nearby, and NORAD advises intercepted pilots to switch to emergency frequencies 121.5 or 243.0 and turn back.