Capitol briefly evacuated, White House locked down
4/24/2009WASHINGTON The White House was placed in temporary lockdown Friday and steps taken to evacuate the U.S. Capitol after a plane entered restricted airspace.
The episode was over within minutes after authorities contacted the pilot and the plane changed course, according to the Secret Service and U.S. Capitol police.
President Barack Obama was believed to be in the White House at the time. The Senate was in session, and briefly recessed. The House of Representatives was not meeting.
Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley said the security measures were taken "out of an abundance of caution."
Authorities have been on high alert for planes entered airspace in and around major government buildings since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.