A security alert at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday led to the deployment of F-16 fighter jets after a civilian aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions near US President Donald Trump’s Air Force One, according to a report by The New York Post. Authorities briefly imposed a ground stop as a precaution.
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The White House confirmed the incident, stating that communication with the aircraft had been lost, triggering the alert. However, officials emphasised that neither Air Force One nor the President was in any danger during the episode.
NORAD Intercepts Aircraft
According to a statement released by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service and shared by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), F-16 jets from the Continental US NORAD region intercepted the aircraft over Palm Beach at approximately 1:15 p.m. EDT on March 29, 2026.
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The civilian plane had entered a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone. NORAD aircraft safely escorted it out of the restricted airspace. During the interception, flares were deployed to attract the pilot’s attention and convey instructions. NORAD clarified that such flares are safe, burn out quickly, and do not pose any risk to people on the ground.
Ground Stop Lifted, No Threat to President
NORAD advised that any intercepted civilian aircraft should immediately tune to emergency frequencies 121.5 or 243.0 and follow instructions, including reversing course if required.
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A White House official said the aircraft had briefly lost contact with the air traffic control tower at Palm Beach International Airport, but communication was later restored. The temporary ground stop was subsequently lifted.
Officials also confirmed there was no drone-related threat and no immediate concern involving Air Force One, which was not scheduled for departure at the time. During the incident, President Trump was at the Trump International Golf Course, the report added.