Plane breaches restricted airspace during Obama’s visit to L.A.
The pilot of a small plane flew into restricted airspace over Los Angeles during a visit by President Obama, prompting an F-15 fighter jet to fly out to investigate, officials said.
The Cessna 340 entered the restricted airspace over the San Fernando Valley about 5:20 p.m., said Lt. Col. Michael Jazdyk, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command. At the time, the plane was out of radio communication.
Just as the F-15 approached and identified the aircraft, the Cessna’s pilot was able to establish contact with the Federal Aviation Administration, Jazdyk said.
“The FAA basically told them ‘you’re not following your flight plan and you’re not where you’re supposed to be,’” he said.
The Cessna returned to Bakersfield after the incident, Jazdyk said. The incident will be investigated by local law enforcement and the FAA.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the FAA, said there was no indication the breach was intentional.
Obama arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday for two days of fundraising.
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