NORAD intercepts plane in Trump’s Bedminster no-fly zone: 'No excuses'
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A fighter jet scrambled by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted a civilian aircraft Saturday afternoon after it entered restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Donald Trump is spending the holiday weekend.
The pilot flew into a temporary flight restriction (TFR) zone just before 2:40 p.m. ET, according to a NORAD statement.
The aircraft was safely escorted out of the area after a standard "headbutt" maneuver was used to get the pilot’s attention. The maneuver involves a military jet flying directly in front of a civilian aircraft at a close but safe distance to visually signal the pilot to either follow or change course.
This was the fourth restricted airspace violation of the day and not the last.
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President Donald Trump is in Bedminster, N.J., at his golf club for the holiday weekend after celebrating Independence Day at the White House. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NORAD says another incursion happened later, making for five unauthorized entries by five different aircraft in a single day over presidential airspace.
NORAD confirmed a total of three intercepts on July 5. The first took place over the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and was carried out by a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Blackjack helicopter. The second, near Bedminster, was the F-16 interception involving the headbutt maneuver.
Later, there were two additional intercepts over the SFRA, one by another MH-65 Blackjack, and one involving both an MH-65 and an F-16.
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An Air Force NORAD aircraft in Alaska (NORAD)
All five aircraft involved were compliant and safely escorted out of restricted airspace, NORAD said.
Officials are warning private pilots to do their homework before takeoff.
"If you’re flying anywhere near Bedminster, NJ, you’d better check NOTAMs 1353, 1358, 2246, and 2247," 1st Air Force (America’s AOC) posted on X. "No excuses! Stay sharp, stay legal, and stay out of restricted airspace."
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In a message to pilots, NORAD stressed: "It is critically important for North American flight safety that Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations are avoided. All pilots must familiarize themselves with updates to restricted airspace, including reviewing new and existing FAA NOTAMs that impact their flight plans and activities. Adhering to FAA restricted airspace protocols is mandatory, regardless of geographical region, airframe, or aircrew."
The FAA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.