Presidential Aircraft Flyover Startles Washington, Delays Flights

A low-flying presidential aircraft made two passes over the White House during President Donald Trump’s Halloween celebration on Thursday, startling residents and prompting the temporary suspension of operations at Reagan National Airport. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were on the South Lawn as the aircraft passed overhead while children attended the event. The White House presented the flyover as part of the celebration for trick-or-treaters. The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight had been coordinated with the agency. The D.C. Council said the public received only about 15 minutes’ notice and that the flyover startled people, including council members. A Washington, D.C., alert issued at 5:23 p.m. said a military aircraft would fly over the National Mall area within the next hour. Airline officials told Reuters they had less than an hour’s notice. Residents described being frightened by the aircraft’s appearance before they knew it was part of a planned event. Some said they briefly feared a crash or attack. The reaction came in a city shaped by the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon, when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building....