Washington D.C. was thrown into chaos on Wednesday as an unresponsive plane entered the city’s airspace, leading to a scramble of military fighter jets. The plane, later identified as a Beechcraft King Air 350, was intercepted by two F-16 fighter jets and guided away from the area. However, tragedy struck shortly thereafter as the plane crashed in a wooded area near the town of New Market, Virginia, killing all four people on board.
Federal investigators have launched an investigation into the incident, seeking to determine what caused the plane to become unresponsive and fly into restricted airspace over the nation’s capital. The FBI has joined the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the investigation, which is expected to take several months to complete.
“We are saddened by the loss of life in this tragic event,” said NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt. “Our investigators will work tirelessly to determine what led to the crash and ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.”
The incident also led to the temporary closure of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as well as the evacuation and lockdown of several government buildings in the D.C. area. As of Thursday, all restrictions have been lifted and air traffic has resumed as normal.
The crash also made headlines across the country, with media outlets such as USA Today, CBS Boston, and Fox News covering the incident. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers involved in aviation, and the importance of proper safety protocols and training for pilots.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “We will work closely with our partners in the aviation industry to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”