WASHINGTON, March 12: A small aircraft entered restricted airspace near the US Capitol on Wednesday, but it turned away and was not considered a threat, the Homeland Security Department said.

Department spokeswoman Laura Keehner said military planes were scrambled in response to the intrusion, and the plane had landed under coast guard escort in Leesburg, Virginia. “There is no indication at this time of imminent threat,” she said.

The Federal Aviation Administration could not immediately identify the aircraft, but said it had left the area. No evacuation orders were issued at the US Capitol, which is operating normally, according to Senate aides.

Ms Keehner said the aircraft had been flying east as it entered the Capitol airspace, turned to the south and then to the west.—Reuters