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CONR fighters intercept/monitor unresponsive general aviation aircraft
Posted 4/19/2012 Updated 4/19/2012
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4/19/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Two Continental U.S. NORAD Region F-15 fighters intercepted a twin engine aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 8:30 a.m. CDT, April 19, after the aircraft veered off its flight plan and was not communicating with air traffic controllers.
The fighter aircraft from the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, La., scrambled to inspect the Cessna 421 aircraft. The Cessna 421 had departed Slidell, La., en route to Sarasota, Fla., and began flying erratically over the Gulf of Mexico. Upon intercepting the aircraft, the F-15 pilots reported the pilot was unresponsive. Attempts to gain the pilots attention were unsuccessful.
CONR fighters stayed with the aircraft monitoring it until the Cessna crashed into the gulf approximately180 miles off the coast of Florida at approximately 11:15 a.m.
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center coordinated recovery operations with the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard dispatched a HC-144 plane from Mobile, Ala., a Cutter from Tampa, Fla., and has an MH-60 helicopter from Clearwater, Fla., on standby, to respond to the crash.
CONR fighters stayed on scene until Coast Guard assets arrived and assumed control of the recovery operation.
The intent of military intercepts is to have the identified aircraft re-establish communications with local FAA air traffic controllers and instruct the pilot to follow air traffic controllers' instructions to land safely for follow-on action.
As the Continental United States geographical component of the bi-national command NORAD, CONR provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs air sovereignty activities for the CONUS region. CONR and its assigned Air Force and Army assets throughout the country ensure air safety and security against potential air threats.
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