The Israel Airports Authority is investigating the scrambling of air force planes last weekend to shoot down a Continental Airlines passenger plane suspected of being flown to Israel with terrorist intentions, according to a Tuesday report by Haaretz. A technical failure is believed to have prevented the airliner's pilots from identifying their flight plan upon entry to Israeli airspace, as required.
The fighters were sent out to identify the plane and shoot it down if necessary, according to standard operating procedures. The Continental plane landed safely at Ben-Gurion International Airport several minutes later.