WASHINGTON — A small, single-engine plane strayed into restricted air space near the U.S. Capitol on Friday, forcing anxious officials to place the White House in temporary lock down and take steps to evacuate the U.S. Capitol.
The episode was over within minutes as two F-16 fighter jets and two Coast Guard helicopters were dispatched to intercept the plane and escort it to an airport in Maryland, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The owner of the Indian Head Airport in Charles County, Md., said a technology problem on the Cessna 180, rather than anything nefarious, forced the plane to enter restricted air space.
"It was just a navigation mistake,” owner Gil Bauserman said. He identified the pilot as William Wales.
by the associated press
The episode was over within minutes as two F-16 fighter jets and two Coast Guard helicopters were dispatched to intercept the plane and escort it to an airport in Maryland, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The owner of the Indian Head Airport in Charles County, Md., said a technology problem on the Cessna 180, rather than anything nefarious, forced the plane to enter restricted air space.
"It was just a navigation mistake,” owner Gil Bauserman said. He identified the pilot as William Wales.
by the associated press
