US scrambles F-16 jets, sonic boom heard across Washington, Capitol Hill on elevated alert; All you need to know
US F-16 fighter jets intercepted an unresponsive civilian aircraft that crashed in Virginia, causing a sonic boom across the Washington DC region.
PremiumUS F-16 fighter jets on Sunday scrambled to reach an unresponsive aircraft that crashed in Virginia, said officials, adding that it created a sonic boom across the Washington, DC region. However, a US official clarified that the fighter jets did not shoot the aircraft, according to a report published by CNN.
In an official statement, the Continental US North American Aerospace Defense Command Region informed that the pilot of the civilian aircraft was unresponsive when the F-16 fighter jets tried to make contact.
The report also stated that the fighter jets were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds when someone is flying unsafely. Later, it resulted in a sonic boom sound in the Washington DC area as the aircraft crashed.
NORAD jets intercepted the civilian aircraft, a Cessna 560 Citation V in which four people were onboard, around 3.20 pm, which ultimately crashed near the George Washington National Forest, CNN reported.
Taking to Twitter, DC Homeland Security & Emergency Management said, “We are aware of reports from communities throughout the National Capital Region of a loud ‘boom’ this afternoon. There is no threat at this time."
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the civilian aircraft which crashed in Virginia took off from Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and was bound for Long Island MacArthur Airport in New York, as per CNN reports.
Police informed that the US Capitol Complex was placed on elevated alert when the aircraft was flying here, and until it left the area. He added that the cops are working closely with FAA partners to monitor an unresponsive pilot who was flying the aircraft unsafely.
The National Transportation Safety Board said that it was investigating the civilian aircraft crash.
A White House official also said that US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident.
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
