Sonic Boom Heard Across D.C. Area After Fighter Jets Intercept Unresponsive Cessna Jet

The D.C. area was rocked by a sonic boom on Sunday afternoon, caused by fighter jets scrambling to intercept a Cessna Citation jet with an unresponsive pilot. The jets were authorized to fly at supersonic speeds to respond to the aircraft flying over restricted airspace. The sonic boom was felt and heard across Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., sparking a flood of 911 calls and concern from residents.

The Cessna jet ultimately crashed in rural southwest Virginia, with no survivors found. The pilot, identified as John Rumpel, was unresponsive to authorities before the crash. His wife took to social media to mourn the loss of their daughter, granddaughter, nanny, and pilot.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash, with questions arising about the circumstances leading up to the incident. The crash site in the George Washington National Forest was described as fiery, with charred debris from the jet visible.

The sonic boom caused by the military aircraft prompted heightened alert in the U.S. Capitol complex and raised concerns among residents. Videos and social media posts captured the moment of the boom, with many describing it as electric and shocking.

Overall, the incident has left the D.C. area shaken and seeking answers as to what led to the tragic crash of the Cessna jet.