LOS ANGELES (AP) — The North American Aerospace Defense Command says two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a small plane that violated restricted airspace in the vicinity of northeast Los Angeles.
A statement issued by the command did not say why the restriction was in place Friday, but the incident occurred about the time President Barack Obama was about to depart Los Angeles International Airport aboard Air Force One.
NORAD says the intercept of the Piper 28 aircraft occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. PDT and the jets followed it until it landed about five minutes later. NORAD says the plane was met by local law enforcement.
El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham says the Piper landed at the city’s small airport east of Los Angeles and the pilot was detained.
