Fighter jets scramble to intercept aircraft that strayed into Kananaskis airspace, breaching G7 restrictions

A civilian aircraft violated Kananaskis airspace restrictions late Sunday morning, Mounties say.

RCMP issued a release about the incident Sunday evening.

The incident happened just after 11 a.m.

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“North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), in support of the RCMP-led Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), had to deploy air assets after a private, fixed-wing, civilian aircraft violated the air restrictions centered above Kananaskis airspace,” RCMP say.

According to RCMP, the situation met the criteria for CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to be deployed to intercept the aircraft.

Mounties say “multiple steps were taken to gain the pilot’s attention.”

Mounties also say the fighter jets “employed final warning measures to contact the pilot and have them safely land under their own power.”

RCMP say it appears this was a wayward flier, but the incident remains under investigation.

RCMP also say this was a serious situation regardless.

“It is every pilot’s responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the airspace they intend to fly,” RCMP say.

“These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site.”

In Sunday’s release, RCMP offered reminders of two restricted airspace areas:

“CYR 292 is centred on Kananaskis Village (N50°55′22” W115°08′37″) with a radius of 30 NM (nautical miles), excluding the Calgary / Springbank Airport (CYBW) Control Zone. CYAs 226 and 227 will not be active," RCMP said.

“CYR 293 is centred on Calgary International Airport (N51°07′21.41” W114°00′48.05″) with a radius of 20 NM, excluding CYR 292 and including the Calgary / Springbank Airport (CYBW) Control Zone. CYA 228 will not be active."

Mounties say more information is available at https://plan.navcanada.ca/.