F-16s scramble above Mar-a-Lago after unusual plane breaches restricted airspace

On Sunday, a private aircraft entered restricted airspace near Palm Beach, Florida, prompting the North American Aerospace Defense Command to scramble F-16 fighter jets and intercept it while Donald Trump was in the area.

The aircraft was escorted out of the temporary flight restriction zone, which had been established by authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Secret Service.

During the interception, NORAD deployed flares as a standard procedure to signal the pilot, which may have been visible to the public.

Officials said the incident did not pose any risk to the president’s safety, as he remained secure at his Palm Beach location, the Irish Star has reported.

The event followed other recent airspace alerts in the area, including reports of a drone-related scare that was later attributed to a miscommunication rather than an actual threat.