WASHINGTON (CNN) — U.S. Capitol Police have converged Wednesday on a small manned aircraft that has landed on the west front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Police have taken the pilot into custody.
“The U.S. Capitol Police is investigating a gyro copter with a single occupant that has landed on the grassy area of the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Police continues to investigate with one person detained and temporary street closures in the immediate area,” said Capitol Police Lt. Kimberly Schneider in a statement to CNN.
According to the FAA, this is restricted airspace and the individual did not get special permission to fly in this airspace.
The Capitol Police have not disclosed his identity, but did say he is in custody for questioning and they don’t yet know whether it was a mechanical issue or an intentional landing on the Capitol grounds.
The building is no longer in lockdown, however, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms tells CNN that everything is under control.
