New Yorkers left in panic and fear by low flying military plane…but it’s checking out evacuation routes for Donald Trump
The billionaire is currently running his pre-inauguration White House business from Trump Tower in the Big Apple
NEW YORKERS were left in panic and confusion by a low flying military plane which was seen over Manhattan- but it was actually checking out evacuation flight paths for Donald Trump.
The billionaire is currently running his pre-inauguration White House business from Trump Tower in the Big Apple.
The C-130 search-and-rescue aircraft was trying out 'emergency relocation' routes in case the president-elect had to leave New York during an attack.
According to sources, it was looking at places to land in Central Park so it could land near Trump Tower and get him from his New York home.
However, understandably, many New Yorkers were concerned and confused at seeing a plane so low over the city.
Erdal Kuyumcu tweeted: "Why is this plane circulating so low in Manhattan?! It brings back bad memories."
He was referring to the September 11th terrorist attack in 2001 where 2,763 people died after two planes flew into the World Trade Center twin towers.
However reported "It was the military doing their homework" while another one source said they were "mapping plans and strategizing."
If a plan to evacuate Trump were to swing into action he would be taken by the Secret Service to Central Park.
The president-elect would then be transported by a helicopter to a government site in Virginia, or West Virginia, or to Washington DC.
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After the plane was initially spotted last week, the Federal Aviation Administration said the US military had clearance to fly over the Big Apple.
Two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters were also seen in the air.
However DNAinfo reported the NYPD were not given any notice about the drill or that it would involve a larger plane: "They should have told people they were doing recon, and going to fly at low altitudes, instead of keeping it a secret.
"People were scared, and rightly so."
New Yorkers instead were forced to use social media to try and work out what was happening.
Since 9/11, the city authorities put out notifications about test flights so people don't get alarmed.
One Twitter user said: "This plane that's been circling over Manhattan is starting to freak me out."
Another tweeted: "Seeing multiple reports of a USAF C-130 and several Black Hawk helicopters circling low (3,000 feet) over Manhattan. No, that is not normal."