By NBC News and msnbc.com news services
An F-16 fighter jet intercepted a small private plane after it entered airspace that had been restricted because of a visit by President Barack Obama to Los Angeles on Wednesday night, defense officials told NBC News.
The single-engine Cessna 117 was intercepted northwest of Los Angeles shortly before 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) and escorted to a landing at a small nearby airfield where it was met by law enforcement officers, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Local airspace had been cleared while Obama?attended a fundraiser at the Regent Beverly Wilshire held by gay and lesbian supporters.?
The Associated Press reported that the airfield was in Camarillo, citing a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman.
The AP said there have have been similar incidents when Obama visited Los Angeles in the past. In May, a pilot mistakenly flew into restricted airspace as the president was about to leave the city from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
A similar scenario played out during Obama's February visit, when F-16 jets intercepted a plane that entered the airspace of Obama's helicopter, Marine One.?That plane was forced to land at Long Beach Airport, where police said they found about 40 pounds of marijuana during a search of the Cessna, and the pilot was arrested.?
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook
?
lost in space elizabeth banks battle royale key largo arnold palmer invitational ryan madson louisiana primary
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.