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Plane Breaches D.C. Airspace, Prompting Brief White House, Capitol Lockdown Plane Breaches D.C. Airspace, Prompting Brief White House and Capitol Lockdown
(about 5 hours later)
WASHINGTON — Military aircraft were scrambled over the capital Tuesday morning after a plane violated restricted airspace over the city, prompting a brief lockdown at the White House, the Capitol and congressional office buildings. WASHINGTON — Military aircraft were scrambled over the capital on Tuesday morning after a plane violated restricted airspace, prompting a brief lockdown at the White House, the Capitol and congressional office buildings.
Officials gave the all-clear after about 20 minutes, as crowds of aides milled around the sidewalks and traffic ground to a standstill on the streets of Capitol Hill. Officials gave the all-clear after about 20 minutes, as crowds of aides milled around the sidewalks and as traffic ground to a standstill on the streets of Capitol Hill.
A senior congressional aide who was briefed on the incident said an unidentified plane had violated the no-fly zone over the District of Columbia for several minutes before 9 a.m., prompting the lockdown on Capitol Hill, where people were blocked from entering government buildings. A senior congressional aide who was briefed on the episode said an unidentified plane had violated the no-fly zone over the District of Columbia for several minutes before 9 a.m., prompting the lockdown on Capitol Hill, where people were blocked from entering government buildings.
At the White House, the Secret Service issued a “shelter-in-place” order and directed reporters to stay inside the briefing room next to the West Wing. At the White House, the Secret Service issued a “shelter in place” order and directed reporters to stay inside the briefing room next to the West Wing.
A Pentagon spokesman said that military aircraft responded to the incident and were “on site.” Maj. Christian Mitchell said that a determination was made that the plane was “considered not hostile.” A Pentagon spokesman said that military aircraft responded and were “on-site.” Maj. Christian Mitchell said that a determination was made that the plane was “considered not hostile.”
After officials declared the threat over, Capitol Police reopened the office buildings and congressional staff lined up to get back into their offices. The Capitol Police said the airspace violation had been reported at 8:27 a.m. and the Capitol buildings were closed until 9:12 a.m. After officials declared the threat over, Capitol Police reopened the office buildings and congressional staff lined up to get back into their offices. The Capitol Police said the airspace violation had been reported at 8:27 a.m., and the Capitol buildings were closed until 9:12 a.m.
Concerns about the airspace over Washington have been heightened since the September 11, 2001, attacks, when terrorists used hijacked planes to target high-profile buildings in the capital and in New York. Concerns about the airspace over Washington have been heightened since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when terrorists used hijacked planes to target high-profile buildings in the capital and in New York.
In 2004, authorities evacuated the Capitol and the surrounding buildings on the day of former President Ronald Reagan’s funeral, after mistaking a plane carrying Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky for a terrorist threat. That incident sparked mayhem, as Capitol Police rushed to clear government buildings, yelling at members of Congress and others on the premises to take their shoes off and run, warning that an impact from the plane was imminent. In 2004, the authorities evacuated the Capitol and the surrounding buildings on the day of former President Ronald Reagan’s funeral, after mistaking a plane carrying Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky for a terrorist threat. That episode prompted mayhem, as Capitol Police rushed to clear government buildings, yelling at members of Congress and others on the premises to take their shoes off and run, warning that an impact from the plane was imminent.
Tuesday’s episode did not generate the same kind of panic. With most lawmakers at home during their Thanksgiving recess and many staff aides on vacation, most officials appeared unfazed by the brief lockdown.Tuesday’s episode did not generate the same kind of panic. With most lawmakers at home during their Thanksgiving recess and many staff aides on vacation, most officials appeared unfazed by the brief lockdown.
Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Emily Cochrane contributed reporting.Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Emily Cochrane contributed reporting.