NORAD issued a message following the incident.

21:24, Tue, May 19, 2026 Updated: 21:49, Tue, May 19, 2026

F-16 fighter jets were scrambled on Tuesday after a general aviation aircraft "violated FAA restricted airspace" over Washington DC, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said.

NORAD said their "F-16 fighter aircraft from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region safely intercepted a general aviation aircraft that violated FAA restricted airspace over the United States National Capital Region, and escorted it clear of the area without further incident."

"Pilots are reminded to check all FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), including in the National Capital Region and Mar-a-Lago regions," their message also said.

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US Air Force F-16 fighter plane

(file picture) Norad F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted a general aviation aircraft today (Image: Getty)

The DC region is protected by a controlled airspace zones in the country, known as the Special Flight Rules Area. Pilots need to follow strict procedures and maintain constant communication with air traffic control.

The Defense Visual Information Distribution Centre (DVID) said "NORAD employs a layered defense network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats".

"The identification and monitoring of the civilian aircraft demonstrate how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada," a message on their website also said.

According to DVID, "the civilian aircraft entered the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) at approximately 11:15 a.m. EDT. CONR fighters intercepted the aircraft and ensured it remained clear of restricted airspace without further incident".

Earlier today, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region safely intercepted a general aviation aircraft that violated #FAA restricted airspace over the United States National Capital Region, and escorted it clear of the area without further incident.… https://t.co/6Pj3Ff6RqA

— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 19, 2026

In March, NORAD also detected and tracked two Russian TU-142 military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

In a press release issued at the time, NORAD said it launched two U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft, two F-22 fighter aircraft, four KC-135 tankers, one E-3 AWACS, two Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft, and one CC-150 tanker to positively identify, monitor, and intercept the Russian aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ.

NORAD also added the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, and that the activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.