Both Pilots Interviewed By Law Enforcement

Military aircraft under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted two Cessna 172 general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Camp David, MD, May 18. The permanent restricted area over the Presidential retreat had been expanded with a TFR due to the G-8 summit being held there over the weekend.

Both civilian aircraft were out of radio communication. The first was intercepted by a NORAD F-15 Eagle at approximately 1903 EDT, and departed the Temporary Flight Restricted area and landed at York Airport, PA. The second Cessna was intercepted by an F-15 and a HH 60 Black Hawk at approximately 1917 EDT, and departed the TFR and landed on a grass runway in PA. Law enforcement interviewed both pilots.

Politico reports that neither pilot was determined to be a threat to the President or the other leaders attending the summit.

NORAD's mission – in close collaboration with homeland defense, security, and law enforcement partners – is to prevent air attacks against North America, safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within these airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning for North America. NORAD may be required to monitor, shadow, divert from flight path, direct to land and/or destroy platforms deemed a potential threat to North America.

FMI: www.norad.mil