A US Air Force fighter jet intercepted a small plane over the San Francisco Bay Area on June 21, 2023, after the plane violated temporary flight restrictions put in place during President Joe Biden's visit. The fighter jet flew close to the plane, a Mooney M20J single-engine plane, in a maneuver known as a "headbutt." This is a visual cue for the pilot to acknowledge the airspace violation and change course.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that the fighter jet was part of a response to several violations of the VIP Temporary Flight Restricted (TFR) area during Biden's three-day visit to San Francisco. NORAD also reminded pilots in the area to check NOTAMs, or Notice to Air Missions, to ensure they have the latest information on the TFR.
TFRs are routine measures enforced according to the President's schedule and location. They can also be implemented during natural disasters, certain major sporting events, and situations of national security or emergencies. Violations of TFRs can carry severe penalties, including criminal charges, fines, and the suspension of pilot's licenses.
This is not the first incident involving presidential airspace violations. In October 2022, two small planes were intercepted by F-16 fighter jets during President Biden's visit to Southern California. US officials had to use flares to get the pilots' attention after they entered temporarily restricted airspace. However, the incident was resolved effectively and without further action.