Second private plane out of Long Island MacArthur Airport intercepted in restricted air space during Biden visit

Two fighter jets were scrambled Wednesday evening to escort a single-engine plane that violated temporary flight restrictions in place while the United Nations General Assembly meets — the second plane to do so that day, officials said Friday.

The plane, a Piper A46, was intercepted 15 nautical miles southeast of New York City by two F-15 fighter jets at 6:36 p.m., the North American Aerospace Defense Command said by email.

The first plane, a Cessna 172, was intercepted by an F-15 fighter jet 20 miles east of New York City at about 11:40 a.m.

Both pilots had departed from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, which had no immediate comment.

“From all indications, the two violations are not related,” NORAD said.

The federal government had imposed temporary flight restrictions in and around New York City, with President Joe Biden in town for an address Wednesday to the UN General Assembly.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the wayward flights, said it will “take appropriate enforcement action.”

It added: “The FAA does not release details of open investigations.”

Referring to the temporary flight restrictions put in place to raise security during high-profile events, the FAA said: “Generally speaking, pilots who violate TFRs can face sanctions ranging from warnings to license suspensions or revocations. The sanction depends on the circumstances of the violation."