NEW YORK – An F-15 fighter plane intercepted a civilian plane Wednesday as it entered limited airspace in New York City, just as President Joe Biden was in town for a speech at the United Nations, according to the Defense Command. ).
NORAD claims that it attempted to contact the civilian pilot, who was flying a Cessna 172, a single-engine private plane, but the pilot did not answer radio calls. The F-15 responded when the Cessna was about 20 nautical miles east of Manhattan, with the latter entering the restricted area around 11:40 am. He was escorted out in less than 20 minutes.
There has been no indication of malicious intent from NORAD, which monitors aircraft as part of its aerospace monitoring and alert missions for the United States and Canada.
NORAD is a binational command focused on defending both the United States and Canada using the forces of the two countries.
A message seeking comment from the Federal Aviation Administration was not immediately returned.
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