Two F-16 fighter jets raced to intercept a light aircraft straying into restricted airspace near Washington on Monday, November 22^nd. The little Cessna caused a brief security alert at the White House.

The fighter pilots made contact with the single-engine Cessna pilot and instructed him to land under their escort at an airfield in Manassas, Virginia. The pilot was to be interviewed by the Secret Service upon landing. It is suspected that the “suspect” was a student pilot.

Officials said that this sort of incident is not unusual as light aircraft do occasionally stray into restricted airspace, causing security alerts at the White House.

During the alert visitors were prevented from entering or leaving the White House and a military serviceman was seen climbing down from what appears to be a missile battery when the alert was over.

The two F-16 jets were acting under orders from the North American Defence Command (Norad) which protects United States and Canadian airspace.

This incident has come at a time of heightened focus on aviation security, with public dissatisfaction at invasive pat-down searches in airports.