Fighter Jet Intercepts Private Plane Near Air Force One

The small craft was forced to land after entering restricted airspace.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A civilian aircraft was intercepted by an F-16 fighter jet on Friday afternoon as Air Force One sat on the tarmac at Pope Army Airfield in North Carolina. The small twin-engine plane had entered the 30-mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone without filing a flight plan and was forced to land at Harnett Regional Jetport after the fighter pilot deployed flares to draw attention to the violation.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the strict security protocols in place to protect the President and Air Force One, as well as the potential risks posed by unauthorized aircraft entering restricted airspace near high-profile government figures.

The details

According to the Harnett Regional Jetport director, the Baron twin-engine plane was flying from Moore County and was en route to Johnston County Regional Airport when it entered the restricted airspace at 3:35 p.m. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the fighter jet was deployed to intercept the small craft, and the pilot used flares to force the plane to land at Harnett Regional Jetport. The private plane's pilot later flew the aircraft to Southern Pines.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 14, 2026 while President Donald Trump was at Fort Bragg.
  • The small plane entered the 30-mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone at 3:35 p.m.

The players

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)

The organization that employs a layered defense network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats.

Harnett Regional Jetport

The airport where the small private plane was forced to land after being intercepted by the fighter jet.

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What’s next

The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities to determine if any further action will be taken against the pilot of the small plane.

The takeaway

This event underscores the importance of strict airspace security protocols around high-profile government figures and the potential consequences for pilots who violate restricted airspace without authorization.