An F-16 is usually an attention getter on its own but a NORAD pilot had to give an extra nudge to a Cessna pilot who strayed where he ought not in Chicago on Sunday. The Cessna driver got a full pyrotechnics display with the F-16 releasing at least four flares to get the pilot’s attention. It was a busy day for the F-16 crews in Chicago. Another video emerged of one intercepting a Robinson R-22 whose pilot apparently got the message the first time and followed the Viper out of the area for his interview. The interceptions appear to be related to the TFR that covered President Trump’s visit to the President’s Cup at Medinah Country Club near Chicago. Thanks to readers for letting us know.
On Monday, NORAD confirmed both interceptions to AvBrief. “On Sunday, NORAD F-16 aircraft, operating in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), intercepted a Robinson R22(sic) [actually an R66] helicopter and a Cessna aircraft that had entered temporarily restricted airspace in the Chicago area without authorization,” NORAD said in a statement to AvBrief. “In accordance with standard safety protocols to establish visual contact with an unresponsive aircraft, the intercepting F-16s did employ flares to safely capture the Cessna pilot’s attention. Both aircraft were escorted out of the restricted airspace without further incident. Because the FAA is the lead federal agency responsible for flight safety, pilot licensing, and investigating Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations, we refer you to them for specific details regarding the pilots’ flight paths and any subsequent enforcement actions. Videos below show both interceptions and audio of the helicopter intercept.
[Full Video] F-16 intercepting and flaring what seems to be Cessna over Argonne National Lab
by u/deni_48 in aviation
— Thomas Fuller (@IndySportsGuy28) September 27, 2026
There is no restricted airspace in the Chicago area, and no such restriction is depicted on the Chicago sectional or Terminal charts. The plane that was intercepted over Argonne lab must have busted the class B airspace without a clearance. Big difference on what is “restricted airspace”. I could not find any “TFR’s” listed either relating to this incident.
We’ve asked NORAD for an explanation,
“A VIP Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was in effect over the Chicago, IL area on Sunday, September 27, 2026, for a visit by President Trump.
NORAD Activity: NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft that violated the restricted airspace, resulting in several intercepts and the deployment of flares.”
The President travelled to Medina Country Club just west of O’Hare Field on Sunday. Argonne National Labs are 25 mi basically south of there so … there would have been a TFR issued for this event. There was a low pass by Air Force 1, as well.
Problem solved 😁 Didn’t C172eowner see that ?? You failed the PP checkride.
It didn’t show up on my IPad with Garmin app when the article was published. Sorry I missed it earlier, I wasn’t flying then.
Class B is only a traffic issue, not a TFR concern unless a TFR has been established within.
I was @ 2900 ft. msl in a 3000 ft. shelf of the class B and 1.5 miles outside the SW sector of the class C on standby with MDW approach trying to get a squawk code. I did not find the possible active TFR before I departed or while in flight on my Foreflight / EFB navigation chart.
Hopefully this Secret Service/FAA ( )uckup doesn’t cost you or any of the other 10+ pilots caught in this any penalties!
That’s an R44
Got R22 straight from NORAD but it’s actually an R66. Fixed it.
There was a presidential TFR over Chicago area while the President was visiting Medinah Country Club for the Presiden’t Cup match.
Yep… saw it in an AOPA email (or some such information)
As a famous American once said, stupid is as stupid does.
As John Bradford said in the 17th century, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
How embarrassing it must be for an F16 pilot to tilt at a literal windmill in the form of a civilian piston powered helicopter. Cervantes is as relevant today as he was in the 1600s. We’re a truly a nation of Don Quixotes.
I get the impression from sources that the TFR got extended and some of these intercepts were folks that didn’t know it, for one reason or another.
VIP TFR’s have never caught a terrorist flying, only pilots who happen to wander into one. I sure hope the flares that were fired at low altitude to get the attention of the C172 burned out before landing on the populated area in the TFR!
I was the unfortunate pilot of the C-172H “Superhawk XP180” that had checked for the TFR and found no mention of the end time of 3:45 pm being extended. Departed Indiana airport at approximately 5:00 pm and within minutes tried contacting MDW approach on two published frequencies. I was told to standby. Several minutes later still on standby the F16 appeared and im sure he tried to communicate. My radios were on the “standby” frequencies as I was awaiting ATC commands. They knew my path of flight and never advised a breach of the TFR. Upon the flare encounter I broke into ATC communication and asked if they knew I was in restricted airspace . They responded “yes” and gave me a sqwauk code and a heading out of the TFR. There was no information about the TFR extension on the FAA’s own TFR info website page and neither on my ForeFlight flight plan briefing or on my efb TFR depiction!! The only place the TFR was known ive been told was via Flight Service briefing if you were lucky enough to catch it once it came up again but before you departed.
THE FLARES EXPLODING ACROSS OUR NOSE WERE QUITE ”EXCITING” and scared the **** outta my wife ! We were on our way to dinner and were no threat to potus… I voted for the guy!
Like to talk to you more about this. Send me an email at russ@avbrief.com
According to THIS … there were 10 – 15 violations of the TFR:
facebook.com/reel/1819250155940388
I can’t wait for the 2028 presidential campaign season! What a mess that will be with TFR’s!