US fighter jets scrambled at supersonic speed to intercept an unresponsive plane as it flew over Washington DC on Sunday.

The F-16 jets caused a loud sonic boom that was heard around the region, prompting concern from some residents.

They were deployed after the plane entered some of the most heavily restricted airspace in the country and failed to respond to the authorities.

It then crashed in a rural area of Virginia after a rapid descent.

Police and rescuers reached the wreckage near the George Washington National Forest by foot hours later and said no survivors had been found. Four people were reportedly on board.

It is not clear why the pilot was unresponsive or what caused the Cessna Citation small aircraft to come down. Military officials speaking on condition on anonymity said it was not shot down and the fighter jets did not cause the crash.

 

US aviation officials said the plane took off from Elizabethton, Tennessee at 13:14 local time on Sunday and was heading to Long Island in New York.

You gotta be responsive.

Or else.

Will be interesting to learn about what happened my moneys on loss of cabin pressure then pilot and crew unconscious due to lack of oxygen rip to the pilot and passengers condolences to the bereaved 

It sounds like they just wanted to do some sightseeing.  Flying over DC is definitely something to see. 

RIP