Archive · 22 Dec 2025
NORAD Scrambles F-16s Over Palm Beach No-Fly Violation
NORAD, which protects the airspace of the US and Canada, had to send fighter jets to stop a small civilian plane that flew into a restricted area near Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
This area was restricted because President Trump was visiting.
The fighter jets flew very close to the civilian plane to signal it to leave, and the plane did so without any problems.
NORAD said this shows how they keep the airspace safe.
NORAD scrambled F-16 fighter jets to intercept a civilian plane violating a no-fly zone over Palm Beach, Florida.
The incident occurred around 9:20 a.m. EST during President Donald Trump's visit to Mar-a-Lago.
Pilots used a 'headbutt' maneuver to signal the civilian plane to comply and successfully escorted it out.
The interception was part of NORAD's mission to protect US and Canadian airspace.
No incidents or injuries were reported during the interception.
- Who
- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and a civilian aircraft pilot
- What
- Scrambling of F-16 fighter jets to intercept a civilian plane violating a no-fly zone
- When
- Around 9:20 a.m. EST on a Saturday
- Where
- Over Palm Beach, Florida, near Mar-a-Lago
- Why
- To enforce the Temporary Flight Restriction airspace during President Donald Trump's visit
- Agency
- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
- Aircraft Involved
- F-16 fighter jets
- Violating Aircraft
- Civilian general aviation plane
- Location
- Palm Beach, Florida
- Time of Incident
- 9:20 a.m. EST
- Maneuver Used
- Headbutt maneuver
- Outcome
- Successful escort out of restricted airspace