[1]Skip to main content

[1]Skip to main content
[2]Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market
professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv
[3]Reuters home
* [4]World (BUTTON)
* [5]Business (BUTTON)
* [6]Markets (BUTTON)
* [7]Sustainability (BUTTON)
* [8]Legal (BUTTON)
* [9]Breakingviews
* [10]Technology (BUTTON)
* [11]Investigations
* (BUTTON) More

(BUTTON) My View
(BUTTON)
[12]Register
(BUTTON)
(BUTTON)
*
*
*
*
*

(BUTTON)
(BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)

* [13]United States (BUTTON)

Jet fighters chase small plane in Washington area before it crashes in
Virginia

By [14]Phil Stewart (BUTTON)
and [15]Ted Hesson (BUTTON)
June 4, 202310:51 PM UTCUpdated ago
An aerial view of Washington D.C., January 28, 2005, features the major
landmarks of the U.S. capita..
An aerial view of Washington D.C., January 28, 2005, features the major
landmarks of the U.S. capital. At bottom center is the Pentagon in
Arlington, Virginia, cutting through the middle is the Potomac River,
at center is the Washington Monument and towards top right is the U.S.
Capitol.
(BUTTON)
*
*
*
*
*

(BUTTON)
(BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)
* (BUTTON)

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - The United States scrambled F-16 fighter
jets in a supersonic chase of a light aircraft that violated airspace
in the Washington D.C. area with an unresponsive pilot and later
crashed into mountainous terrain in southwest Virginia, officials said.

The jet fighters prompted a sonic boom over the U.S. capital, causing
consternation among people in Washington area, in an attempt to catch
up with the errant Cessna Citation, officials said.

A Cessna aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain in southwest
Virginia around the time the sonic boom was heard in the capital, the
Federal Aviation Administration said. A Cessna Citation can carry seven
to 12 passengers.

A U.S. official said the jet fighters did not cause the crash.

A separate source familiar with the matter said the Cessna was believed
to be on autopilot and did not respond to authorities.

Four people were on board the Cessna, CNN reported, citing an unnamed
source.

The U.S. military attempted to establish contact with the pilot, who
was unresponsive, until the Cessna subsequently crashed near the George
Washington National Forest in Virginia, the North American Aerospace
Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement.

"The NORAD aircraft were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds and
a sonic boom may have been heard by residents of the region," the
statement said, adding that NORAD aircraft also used flares in an
attempt to draw attention from the pilot.

The Cessna took off from Elizabethton Municipal Airport in
Elizabethton, Tennessee, and was bound for Long Island MacArthur
Airport in New York, about 50 miles (80 km) east of Manhattan, the FAA
said in a statement, adding that it and the National Transportation
Safety Board would investigate.

The crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. EDT (1930 GMT), the FAA said.

According to the flight-tracking website Flight Aware, the plane
appeared to reach the New York area and made nearly a 180-degree turn,
with the flight ending in Virginia.

Air National Guard F-16s were deployed from Joint Base Andrews, ABC
News reported, citing an unnamed U.S. official. At least one military
pilot saw that the Cessna pilot had passed out, ABC reported.

While rare, incidents involving unresponsive pilots are not
unprecedented. Golfer Payne Stewart died in 1999 along with four others
after the aircraft he was in streaked across thousands of miles with
the pilot and passengers unresponsive. The plane eventually crashed in
South Dakota with no survivors.

In the case of Stewart's flight, the plane lost pressure, causing the
occupants to lose consciousness because of oxygen deprivation.

Similarly, a small U.S. private plane with an unresponsive pilot
crashed off the east coast of Jamaica in 2014 after veering far off its
course toward southwest Florida and triggering a U.S. security alert
that prompted a fighter jet escort.

On Sunday, the sonic boom caused consternation among many people in the
Washington area who took to Twitter to report hearing a loud noise that
shook the ground and walls. Several residents said they heard the noise
as far away as northern Virginia and Maryland.
Reporting by David Lawder, Daniel Trotta, Ted Hesson, Rachael Levy and
Diane Bartz; Writing by Ross Colvin; Editing by Lisa Shumaker
(BUTTON)
*
*
*
*
*

Our Standards: [16]The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[81a8ef9d-23ec-43d9-8fc9-ac039da9e59c.jpg]

[17]Phil Stewart

Thomson Reuters

Phil Stewart has reported from more than 60 countries, including
Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
China and South Sudan. An award-winning Washington-based national
security reporter, Phil has appeared on NPR, PBS NewsHour, Fox News and
other programs and moderated national security events, including at the
Reagan National Defense Forum and the German Marshall Fund. He is a
recipient of the Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence and
the Joe Galloway Award.
*
*
*

[fcd42e48-c71e-414b-8697-2507cb1b69c4.jpg]

[18]Ted Hesson

Thomson Reuters

Ted Hesson is an immigration reporter for Reuters, based in Washington,
D.C. His work focuses on the policy and politics of immigration, asylum
and border security. Prior to joining Reuters in 2019, Ted worked for
the news outlet POLITICO, where he also covered immigration. His
articles have appeared in POLITICO Magazine, The Atlantic and VICE
News, among other publications. Ted holds a master's degree from the
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and bachelor's degree
from Boston College.
*
*
*

Read Next

* U.S. President Joe Biden holds debt limit talks with House Speaker
Kevin McCarthy at the White House in Washington
[19]United Statescategory[20]McCarthy lauds U.S. debt ceiling deal,
House conservatives divided8:12 PM UTC
* Davenport police officers form a line opposite protesters near
apartment building that partially collapsed in Davenport
[21]United Statescategory[22]Body of man missing in Iowa building
collapse found7:13 PM UTC
* People stand above the Hollywood sign under a cloudy sky in Los
Angeles
[23]Lifestylecategory[24]Hollywood directors reach labor pact,
writers remain on strike9:18 PM UTC
* U.S. Senators vote on debt ceiling legislation to avoid a historic
default at the U.S. Capitol in Washington
[25]Macro Matterscategory[26]Analysis: Despite chaos and risk,
Washington sticks with its debt limitJune 2, 2023

[27]Refinitiv Workspace

More from Reuters

[28]World

* Jihad Azour attends an interview with Reuters in Dubai
[29]Lebanese Christian and opposition coalition nominate IMF's
Azour for president[30]Middle Eastcategory · June 4, 2023 · 7:10 PM
UTC
Lebanon's disparate opposition, independent and main Christian
parties said on Sunday they had nominated IMF official Jihad Azour
for the presidency in a challenge to Hezbollah-backed candidate
Suleiman Franjieh.
* French President Emmanuel Macron talks to a person opposed to the
pension reform, in Selestat
[31]Europecategory[32]France plans major police presence for June 6
day of protest3:54 PM UTC
* Polish opposition organises protest march on the anniversary of
first postwar democratic elections, in Warsaw
[33]Europecategory[34]Polish opposition supporters mark 1989
Solidarity win2:00 PM UTC
* Annual LGBTQ Pride parade in Bangkok
[35]Asia Pacificcategory[36]Thai PM frontrunner promises same-sex
marriage, gender identity rights1:21 PM UTC
* Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad holds press conference with
Iraqi counterpart, in Baghdad
[37]Middle Eastcategory[38]Iraq and Syria discuss tackling
cross-border drug trade12:09 PM UTC

Site Index

Browse

* [39]World
* [40]Business
* [41]Legal
* [42]Markets
* [43]Breakingviews
* [44]Technology
* [45]Investigations, opens new tab
* [46]Lifestyle

About Reuters

* [47]About Reuters, opens new tab
* [48]Careers, opens new tab
* [49]Reuters News Agency, opens new tab
* [50]Brand Attribution Guidelines, opens new tab
* [51]Reuters Leadership, opens new tab
* [52]Reuters Fact Check, opens new tab
* [53]Reuters Diversity Report, opens new tab

Stay Informed

* [54]Download the App, opens new tab
* [55]Newsletters, opens new tab

Information you can trust

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s
largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide
every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and
international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's
media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.

Follow Us

*
*
*
*
*

Thomson Reuters Products

* [56]Westlaw, opens new tab
Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content,
attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology.
* [57]Onesource, opens new tab
The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and
ever-expanding tax and compliance needs.
* [58]Checkpoint, opens new tab
The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and
finance professionals.

Refinitiv Products

* [59]Refinitiv Workspace, opens new tab
Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a
highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.
* [60]Refinitiv Data Catalogue, opens new tab
Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market
data and insights from worldwide sources and experts.
* [61]Refinitiv World-Check, opens new tab
Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help
uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.

* [62]Advertise With Us, opens new tab
* [63]Advertising Guidelines, opens new tab
* [64]Coupons, opens new tab

* [65]Cookies, opens new tab
* [66]Terms of Use, opens new tab
* [67]Privacy, opens new tab
* [68]Digital Accessibility, opens new tab
* [69]Corrections, opens new tab
* [70]Site Feedback, opens new tab

All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. [71]See here for a complete
list of exchanges and delays.

© 2023 Reuters. [72]All rights reserved

References

Visible links
1. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/loud-boom-shakes-washington-dc-fire-department-reports-no-incidents-2023-06-04/#main-content
2. https://www.reuters.com/differentiator/
3. https://www.reuters.com/
4. https://www.reuters.com/world/
5. https://www.reuters.com/business/
6. https://www.reuters.com/markets/
7. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/
8. https://www.reuters.com/legal/
9. https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/
10. https://www.reuters.com/technology/
11. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/
12. https://www.reuters.com/account/register/sign-up/&journeyStart=navigation
13. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/
14. https://www.reuters.com/authors/phil-stewart/
15. https://www.reuters.com/authors/ted-hesson/
16. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/about-us/trust-principles.html
17. https://www.reuters.com/authors/phil-stewart/
18. https://www.reuters.com/authors/ted-hesson/
19. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/
20. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mccarthy-lauds-debt-us-ceiling-deal-house-conservatives-divided-2023-06-04/
21. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/
22. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/body-man-missing-iowa-building-collapse-found-2023-06-04/
23. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/
24. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/directors-guild-reaches-tentative-deal-with-hollywood-studios-2023-06-04/
25. https://www.reuters.com/markets/macromatters/
26. https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/despite-chaos-risk-washington-sticks-with-its-debt-ceiling-2023-06-02/
27. https://www.refinitiv.com/en/products/refinitiv-workspace
28. https://www.reuters.com/world/
29. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanese-christian-opposition-coalition-nominate-imfs-azour-president-2023-06-04/
30. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/
31. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/
32. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-plans-major-police-presence-june-6-day-protest-2023-06-04/
33. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/
34. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-opposition-supporters-seeking-change-mark-1989-solidarity-win-2023-06-04/
35. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/
36. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-pm-frontrunner-attends-pride-parade-promising-same-sex-marriage-gender-2023-06-04/
37. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/
38. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraq-syria-discuss-tackling-cross-border-drug-trade-2023-06-04/
39. https://www.reuters.com/world/
40. https://www.reuters.com/business/
41. https://www.reuters.com/legal/
42. https://www.reuters.com/markets/
43. https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/
44. https://www.reuters.com/technology/
45. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/
46. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/
47. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/about-us/
48. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/careers.html
49. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=reuters&utm_campaign=site-referral&utm_content=us&utm_term=0
50. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/about-us/brand-attribution-guidelines/
51. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/leadership-team/
52. https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/
53. https://www.reuters.com/media-campaign/diversity_report/DiversityReport2022.pdf
54. https://www.reuters.com/tools/mobile/us
55. https://reuters.com/newsletters/
56. https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/products/westlaw
57. https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/en/onesource
58. https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/en/checkpoint
59. https://www.refinitiv.com/en/products/refinitiv-workspace
60. https://www.refinitiv.com/en/financial-data
61. https://www.refinitiv.com/en/products/world-check-kyc-screening
62. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/services/advertising-solutions/
63. https://www.reuters.com/info-pages/advertising-guidelines/
64. https://www.reuters.com/coupons/
65. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/privacy-statement.html#cookies
66. https://www.reuters.com/info-pages/terms-of-use/
67. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/privacy-statement.html
68. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/policies/digital-accessibility-policy.html
69. https://www.reuters.com/info-pages/contact-us/
70. https://trdigital.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kte8gArGyCGVhz
71. https://www.reuters.com/info-pages/disclaimer/
72. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/policies/copyright.html

Hidden links:
74. https://www.reuters.com/authors/phil-stewart/
75. mailto:[email protected]
76. https://twitter.com/@phildstewart
77. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-stewart-7778333/
78. https://www.reuters.com/authors/ted-hesson/
79. mailto:[email protected]
80. https://twitter.com/tedhesson
81. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-hesson
82. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mccarthy-lauds-debt-us-ceiling-deal-house-conservatives-divided-2023-06-04/
83. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/body-man-missing-iowa-building-collapse-found-2023-06-04/
84. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/directors-guild-reaches-tentative-deal-with-hollywood-studios-2023-06-04/
85. https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/despite-chaos-risk-washington-sticks-with-its-debt-ceiling-2023-06-02/
86. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanese-christian-opposition-coalition-nominate-imfs-azour-president-2023-06-04/
87. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-plans-major-police-presence-june-6-day-protest-2023-06-04/
88. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-opposition-supporters-seeking-change-mark-1989-solidarity-win-2023-06-04/
89. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-pm-frontrunner-attends-pride-parade-promising-same-sex-marriage-gender-2023-06-04/
90. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraq-syria-discuss-tackling-cross-border-drug-trade-2023-06-04/
91. https://www.twitter.com/Reuters
92. https://www.facebook.com/Reuters
93. https://www.instagram.com/Reuters
94. https://www.youtube.com/user/ReutersVideo
95. https://www.linkedin.com/company/10256858/