Small plane which entered restricted D.C. airspace intercepted by helicopters

Small plane which entered restricted D.C. airspace intercepted by helicopters

2011-06-19 00:15:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Two U.S. Coast Guard helicopters on late Saturday morning intercepted a small plane after it entered restricted airspace near Washington, D.C., officials said.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said two U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 'Dolphin' helicopters were ordered to intercept the small plane when it entered restricted airspace at around 11.50 a.m. EDT.

"Upon being intercepted, the aircraft was diverted to Annapolis where the pilot was to meet with local law enforcement," NORAD said in a brief statement, without giving other details.

On Monday, two U.S. Coast Guard helicopters also intercepted a small plane when it entered restricted airspace near Washington, D.C. The aircraft was allowed to continue to its destination after being visually identified.

And earlier this month, two F-15 fighter jets out of Jacksonville International Airport in Florida were alerted when a small Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft remained out of radio contact while near restricted airspace over Camp David, the country retreat of the president. It landed without incident after being escorted out of the area.

NORAD is tasked to prevent air attacks against North America and safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within these airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning for North America. It is allowed to monitor, shadow, divert from flight path, direct to land and destroy targets which are deemed to be a security threat to North America.

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