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Capitol Evacuated after Small Plane Busts FRZ

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A small plane strayed into the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone, prompting F-15 scrambles and the temporary evacuation of the Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court.
  • The pilot of the errant plane reportedly became confused about his location during the flight.
  • Incursions into Temporary Flight Restricted Zones (TFRs) are a frequent problem, leading to fighter jet scrambles an average of once a week and costing taxpayers millions annually.
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The military scrambled a pair of F-15s on Saturday after the pilot of a small airplane strayed into the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone, prompting the evacuation of the Capitol, Library of Congress and Supreme Court for a short time.

The fighters escorted the airplane to the airport in Mount Airy, North Carolina, where the pilot reportedly told law enforcement officials he became confused about his location during the flight from Massachusetts.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command says incursions of TFRs happen with alarming regularity, causing it to scramble fighter jets on average once a week and costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

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