NORAD Scrambles F-16s Over Washington, D.C. After Commuter Jet Loses Contact with Air Traffic Control
Two fighter jets responded to Washington, D.C. on late Friday morning when a small passenger plane failed to make contact with air traffic control, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
A NORAD official said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled at 11:53 a.m. EST from Andrews Air Force Base when a small commercial jet failed to make contact. “The small commercial jet aircraft regained communication prior to the fighter aircraft intercepting,” the spokesman said.
The NORAD official did not know which company or airline the jet belonged to or why it briefly failed to make contact. The fighters returned to their base after contact was established.
