Small plane diverted to Annapolis from restricted D.C. airspace

A small plane was diverted to Annapolis after it entered restricted airspace in Washington Saturday, according to an air defense spokesman.

Two U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopters diverted the civilian aircraft just before noon under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said John Cornelio, a spokesman for NORAD.

The plane had gone out of communication in the protected airspace, he said. Cornelio said the pilot would meet with local law enforcement. Annapolis police did not immediately respond to a message seeking information.

The agency works with homeland defense, security, and local authorities to divert unauthorized aircraft from protect airspace.

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