Pentagon authorises F-16 fighters to fly at supersonic speed over Washington to intercept Cessna 560 Citation V - business jet failed to make contact and eventually crashed

On June 4, residents in Washington were startled by a massive explosion. Almost immediately, local authorities said it caused the planes to go into supersonic speed. Now the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has revealed details of the incident.

Here's What We Know

The command said F-16 fighter jets were allowed to go to supersonic speed to intercept a Cessna 560 Citation V business jet. The aircraft flew over Long Island before turning back towards Washington DC.

The military tried to make contact with the business jet, but the pilot did not respond. As a result, a Cessna 560 Citation V civilian aircraft crashed near George Washington National Forest, Virginia.

According to Flight Aware, the Cessna 560 Citation V was registered to Encore Motors. Owner John Rumpel said a daughter and child and a babysitter were on board the plane.

Source: The Washington Post, NORAD