Biden Evacuated From Beach Home After Plane Enters Restricted Airspace

WASHINGTON — President Biden was briefly evacuated Saturday from his seaside dwelling in Rehoboth Beach, Del., after a small non-public aircraft by accident flew into restricted airspace, in accordance with White House and Secret Service officers.

Mr. Biden arrived in Rehoboth Beach on Thursday night and is scheduled to return to the White House on Sunday. Officials stated the president was not at risk through the incident.

A White House official advised reporters that Mr. Biden and the primary woman have been briefly evacuated after which returned to their residence.

“A small private plane entered restricted airspace, all indications are by mistake, and precautionary measures were taken,” the official stated. “There was no threat to the president or his family.”

Steve Kopek, a spokesman for the Secret Service, stated that the aircraft entered restricted airspace shortly earlier than 1 p.m. Saturday.

“The aircraft was immediately escorted out of the restricted airspace,” Mr. Kopek stated in a press release. He didn’t present extra particulars, however a number of individuals within the space tweeted that they noticed two army jets flying overhead across the identical time.

Officials didn’t present particulars about Mr. Biden’s evacuation. But there have been public stories that his motorcade was seen driving into a neighborhood fireplace station Saturday afternoon, after which seen leaving the station a few half-hour later. Rehoboth Avenue, a principal industrial artery, was shut down briefly, individuals stated on Twitter.

Officials stated solely that precautions have been taken.

Mr. Kopek stated that it appeared that the pilot of the small aircraft was unaware of the president’s presence in Delaware and of the airspace restrictions that got here together with it.

“Preliminary investigation reveals the pilot was not on the proper radio channel, was not following the NOTAMS (Notice to Airmen) that had been filed and was not following published flight guidance,” he stated within the assertion. “The United States Secret Service will be interviewing the pilot.”

Mr. Biden owns a $2.7 million seaside dwelling within the North Shores, a rich neighborhood one mile north of city. He bought the house in 2017 and incessantly makes use of it for holidays and for temporary weekend visits.