NORAD intercepts plane over Palm Beach, Florida, during Trump visit

NORAD fighter jets intercepted a civilian aircraft over Palm Beach, Florida, after it violated a temporary flight restriction while President Trump was spending the weekend in the area, according to officials. The aircraft was safely escorted out.

The incident happened at about 1:15 p.m. when the general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace over Palm Beach, according to NORAD. F-16 fighter aircraft from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region responded.

During the intercept, NORAD aircraft dispensed flares, which may have been visible to the public. The military said the flares were used to get the pilot’s attention or communicate with the aircraft, and said they burn out quickly and pose no danger to people on the ground.

Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith reported that the Secret Service said there was no threat to Trump or to his plane, which was parked at Palm Beach International Airport.

Temporary flight restrictions are routinely put in place when the president is in an area. NORAD reminded pilots to check FAA notices, especially in the National Capital Region and Mar-a-Lago regions.