Two small aircraft got an up-close encounter with fighter jets during President Bush’s visit to Kansas City last week. On Monday morning, an airplane nipped into the edge of the TFR while en route from Pittsburg, Kan., to rural Roosterville Airport, and was intercepted by two F-16s. The jets determined the airplane was not a threat but followed it till it landed, FAA officials told the Kansas City Star. On Tuesday morning, an airplane penetrated the restricted airspace, and F-16s again followed it until it landed. There is nothing unusual anymore about such events — “We have had to do this more than 1,600 times since 9/11,” Maj. Douglas Martin, spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), told the Star. “Vigilance has to be maintained.”
Planes Meet F-16s In Kansas
Key Takeaways:
- Two small aircraft unintentionally entered the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone during President Bush's visit to Kansas City.
- Both incidents involved F-16 fighter jets intercepting and escorting the aircraft to their destinations.
- The jets determined the aircraft posed no threat.
- Such interceptions have become common since 9/11, with over 1600 incidents reported by NORAD.
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