Pentagon 'Photo Op' Flyover Rattles NYC

A photo op by the Defense Department caused buildings in lower Manhattan and New Jersey to be evacuated this morning, the New York Times reports. A backup for Air Force One flew low over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty accompanied by two fighter jets. The deployment was coordinated with the city, the Pentagon said, but the low-flying plane brought back terrifying Sept. 11 memories.

“People came pouring out of the buildings, the American Express Building, all the buildings in the Financial District by the water,” said one photographer. “And even the construction guys over by 100 North End Avenue area, they all got out of their buildings. Nobody knew about it. Finally some guy showed up with a little megaphone to tell everyone it was a test, but the people were not happy. The people who were here for 9/11 were not happy.” (More airplane stories.)