US sends F-16s to intercept aircraft violating Washington DC skies

Shortly afterwards, the Cessna Citation light aircraft flew out of Washington DC airspace, before crashing and exploding in Montebello, Virginia.

Cessna Citation, the type of aircraft that suddenly violated the sky of Washington DC (USA) on the afternoon of June 4 before crashing and exploding in a nearby area. (Source: Getty Images)

On June 4, US officials confirmed that the Pentagon had dispatched F-16 fighter jets to pursue a Cessna Citation light aircraft that had entered the skies of the US capital at high speed. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the light aircraft then crashed near the George Washington National Forest in Montebello, Virginia. The collision caused a loud explosion that could be heard in Washington DC.

US officials also confirmed that the F-16 aircraft did not cause the explosion. A source familiar with the matter said the crashed Cessna Citation was believed to be on autopilot and did not respond to signals from US authorities. It is not yet clear why the pilot did not respond, or whether there were any casualties in the crash.

However, the explosion is said to not be a concern for the safety of the US President. It is known that when the explosion took place on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Joe Biden was playing golf with his brother Jimmy near Andrews Military Airport. The White House said that the US President had been informed about the incident.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said state law enforcement and local police are still searching for the plane. Search and rescue teams are not accessing the identified area by air due to fog and low clouds in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Cessna Citation took off from Elizabethton Airport in Tennessee and was headed to MacArthur Airport in Long Island, New York. The FAA said the plane was owned by Encore Motors, a Florida-based company. The owner of the company, John Rumpel, said his family was believed to be on the plane. However, he is still in contact with the FAA to clarify the matter.

Earlier, on Twitter , residents in Washington DC confirmed hearing a loud sound or explosion. Some said the explosion shook walls and floors. Meanwhile, others confirmed hearing the explosion as far north as Virginia and Maryland.

According to the website of aircraft manufacturer Cessna, the Cessna Citation light jet can carry 7-12 passengers with a maximum range of 6,300 km, depending on the version.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-dieu-f-16-chan-may-bay-xam-pham-bau-troi-washington-dc-229729.html