On Saturday, three civilian aircraft accidentally entered temporary restricted airspace over Palm Beach, Florida, where President Donald Trump was golfing at his club near Mar-a-Lago. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) safely escorted the aircraft out of the area, with the assistance of the 1st Air Force based in Florida.
The incidents occurred in quick succession at 11:05 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 12:50 p.m. local time. During the interception of two of the aircraft, NORAD aircraft deployed flares as a precautionary measure.
The 1st Air Force emphasized the importance of pilots being vigilant and adhering to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) guidance, particularly in the Mar-a-Lago region where airspace restrictions are in place.
A spokesperson from the US Secret Service stated that the agency is conducting further investigations into the incidents. However, initial assessments suggest that the aircraft entered the restricted airspace unintentionally. The Secret Service echoed the 1st Air Force's message, urging pilots to strictly follow the FAA's directives to avoid such airspace violations in the future.
