A small plane was forced to land in Chino, California, after a pilot violated airspace restrictions in place for President Barack Obama's visit, FAA spokesperson Allen Kenitzer told CNN.
Kenitzer had no further details about the incident.
The military also intercepted a private plane Thursday morning in the vicinity of Fullerton, California, Kenitzer said. The aircraft, a Mooney M20, landed at Chino at 6:04 a.m. PDT. The FAA is investigating.
The incidents on Thursday followed a similar issue on Wednesday when a fighter jet intercepted a single-engine airplane northwest of Los Angeles for breaching a temporary airspace restriction, according to a military news release.
The temporary restriction violated by the Cessna aircraft coincided with a campaign visit to the city by Obama, who was on a one-day fundraising swing through the state.
"After intercepting the aircraft, the F-16 followed it until it landed without incident, at approximately 4:58 p.m. PDT where the plane was met by local law enforcement," according to a statement issued by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
The president spoke at a gala for the gay community in Los Angeles, on his third fundraising trip to the Golden State in the past month. Earlier in the day, he attended two campaign events in San Francisco.
NORAD's mission is to protect U.S. and Canadian airspace against possible threats and may require planes to change course or land.
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Why does Obama get to violate our air space of about 3000 miles east to west? one sided game in play..
Because he's the President. When you get voted in, you can do the same
The pilots of those small planes must need a change of underwair after being forced to land by F-16's. As for using AF-1 on the campaign trail. I don't like the expense. It's much more than one plane. There is a back-up 747 and many cargo planes for the Secret Service, helicpoters, vehicles, and equipment. But what should we expect? That POTUS travels the campaign trail in the family station wagon with the pouch on the roof?
these pilots must be really stupid or too reckless to care, that's pretty dangerous. I fly model aircraft and helicopters and am always aware of TFRs in our area.
This happened repeatedly when Bush was on vacation at the Crawford "ranch." It even happened twice to the same pilot– he did it once, spent a night getting interrogated and paid a huge fine, and a few weeks later he took some friends up to show them where it happened, and Bush was on vacation there again!
It's Mitt going kamikaze again. He was probably heading for another weekend at his LaJolla house when he noticed Air Force One going by, and it triggered his latent insecurity about the fact that he will be left in the dust in November. You know Mitt can't take a joke.
too bad there wasn't all of this concern on 9/11
Just recall who was President at the time of 9/11! Mr. Deregulation! "Regulations", at that time were not being enforced.
CNN is a little off their game. First it was a Mooney, then it was a Cessna...
Best get your eyes checked before your next checkride
They're talking about 2 separate violations
It's stupid to have these no fly zones to begin with. Why should general avaiation have to suffer while a bunch of crooks fly around in our air space at tax payor expense ?
Reminds me of when I violated a presidential TFR 6 years ago. Almost lost my damn license.
Obama bilking the gay community twice in two months. Shame on you Obama. Look somewhere else for supporters.....
And in other news.. A flock of birds flew over the city... A huge flock of birds! zzzzzZzzzzZzzzzz
no, you're the drone.
As a retired AF pilot, I wonder what the power setting on the F-16 looks like when trying to keep down with a Mooney....yep, after the Wisconsin loss, CNN is licking its wounds and plugging the Savior in Chief's safety....
And if you are or were a pilot, as you claim, then you would know such restrictions would apply regardless of who was president. Just wondering – would you have make the same silly comment if it was a Republican president – or are you just blinded by hate?
AF pilot....I was thinking the same thing..........for a military fighter to power down to a Mooneys speed........???????what do ya do.....hang your foot out or something??? funny dude ... love it!!!
Too bad!
Why should the small plane divert; let Air Force One move out of the way for once. I know it's a jumbo jet, but can the pilot not perform an evasive maneuver?
TFR – the actual flight restrictions – apply prior to and extend after Air Force One is in the area. Likely at the time the president's plane was on the ground.
It has been standard practive for a long time that there is a no fly zone around Airforce 1.
All pilots, commercial or private, are required to know about restricted airspace before they take off. These pilots simply did not do their required homework before taking to the sky. Their licenses should be revoked, there is no excuse for this!