Small Plane Disrupts Air Force One

by Copyright 2004 NBC10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Feb 1, 2004
Small Plane Disrupts Air Force One President Bush's visit to the region led to trouble for a local pilot. The pilot was forced to land after flying through restricted air space yesterday afternoon. The air space violation happened in Burlington County as officials said two F-16 Fighters had to force the small plane down.

The small Flying-W airport in Medford, New Jersey was swamped with Secret Service agents yesterday. The military wouldn't confirm exactly why the air space was restricted, but it is clear the President's jet was in the air nearby at the time.

Shortly after Air Force One took off from Philadelphia International around 12:30 pm, the military says a small plane was spotted in restricted air space about 20 miles east of Philadelphia.

Two F-16s from the New Jersey Air National Guard were quickly diverted from their regular air patrols and forced the small plane to land at the Flying-W Airport.

They needed to use flares to get the attention of the pilot and they escorted him all the way to the air field where the aircraft landed without incident.

The name of the pilot hasn't been released so far. It's unclear what happened to the pilot after the plane landed. The Secret Service and FBI have not confirmed any names so far and haven't said whether or not any charges will be filed.

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Author: Copyright 2004 by NBC10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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