Plane sparks threat alert at Capitol

A single-engine airplane violated restricted airspace and flew within six miles of the U.S. Capitol before being diverted by interceptor aircraft.

Security officials raised the threat level for an air attack on the building that houses Congress from yellow to orange, or high threat, and ordered Capitol personnel to prepare to evacuate. The incident was resolved before an evacuation was ordered, but tourists were turned away for a time.

The threat level was soon lowered to yellow (elevated) and later to green (low), according to police and other officials.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the broad restricted airspace is often unintentionally violated by civilian pilots.