Plane Carrying Baseball Game Parachutists Reportedly Triggered U.S. Capitol Evacuation

Topline

A plane carrying parachutists to the Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., reportedly caused the Capitol Police to issue—and quickly retract—an evacuation order for Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Key Facts

The plane was bringing members of the Army’s Golden Knights parachute demonstration team to the stadium—which is about a mile south of the Capitol building—for a pregame Military Appreciation Night event, NBC and the Associated Press reported, citing unnamed sources.

The AP reported the plane’s pilot might not have obtained clearance to take off and circle the area, citing a preliminary review.

The initial evacuation order, issued via email to Capitol staff and press, warned of an “aircraft that poses a probable threat” and asked people in the Capitol, the Capitol Visitor Center, the Library of Congress or the U.S. Botanic Garden buildings to leave immediately.

Shortly after ordering an evacuation, the Capitol Police announced via Twitter there is “no threat at the Capitol,” and the complex was cleared “out of an abundance of caution.”

In the now-rescinded order, people evacuating these areas were warned not to go to primary assembly areas, zones ordinarily designated for gathering during an emergency.

Key Background

After the January 6 Capitol riot, police officials warned the facility needed to improve its security measures. However, less than half of security recommendations made following the riot had been put into effect by that December, Capitol Police Inspector General Michael A. Bolton said. The Capitol and the White House have long been regarded as likely targets for airborne attacks. The 9/11 Commission concluded the hijackers who took control of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in rural Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to storm the cockpit, most likely intended to steer the airplane into the Capitol or the White House.

Tangent

In 1974, U.S. Army Private Robert K. Preston stole a helicopter from Maryland’s Tipton Airport and “buzzed” various sites around Washington, D.C., flying low over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the White House, where he was fired on by police and Secret Service agents. Injured, Preston landed the helicopter and was arrested. Preston was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of $2,400. Just five days later, ex-tire salesman Samuel Byck attempted to hijack an airliner at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, planning to fly the plane into the White House to kill President Richard Nixon. After storming onto a waiting airliner armed with a gun and a bomb, Byck shot and killed a pilot and a police officer, then fatally shot himself after being wounded by police.

Further Reading

“Capitol Police Crisis: 200 Have Left And Less Than Half Of Post-Jan. 6 Security Recommendations Have Been Made, Official Says” (Forbes)