F-15 jets scrambled to intercept unresponsive plane near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat
Fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an unresponsive aircraft near to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, it has emerged.
The incident took place at around 7pm on Friday evening while the US president was in the area. It took place a matter of hours after two objects, including a rock, were thrown at Mr Trump's motorcade on his way to his Florida retreat from the airport.
Local residents were alarmed by the sonic boom from the planes and called the emergency services.
The alert was end when the F-15 fighter jets were able to establish contact with the aircraft over Palm Beach.
“The intent of military intercepts is to have the identified aircraft re-establish communications with local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers and instruct the pilot to follow air traffic controllers' instructions to land safely for follow-on action,” the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) said.
US aviation authorities are also investigating an incident earlier this month when a private plane came closer than the permitted distance to Air Force One while flying over Florida.
