F-16s Intercept Small Plane In Presidential Airspace Over Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a small plane Friday morning that violated the airspace restrictions for Air Force One leaving Los Angeles International Airport, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement.
A temporary flight restriction over a 32 mile-wide section of Los Angeles was set in place Friday morning for President Barack Obama's departure following a fundraiser Thursday night.
The fighter jets intercepted a Piper 28 aircraft and followed it until it landed without incident around 9:50 a.m. The plane was met by local law enforcement at the El Monte Airport, officials said.
KNX 1070's Charles Feldman reports neither Air Force One nor the president, who was departing LAX after a campaign swing here, was in danger. And it is not clear whether the president's plane was flying at the time of the incident.
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The pilot was questioned by police and released. No arrests were made.
