"In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft responded to an unresponsive Cessna 560 Citation V aircraft over Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on June 4, 2023," a statement from NORAD's Continental U.S. Region said.

NORAD's fighter jets "were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds and a sonic boom may have been heard by residents of the region," according to the statement. Residents across the region were startled by the loud noises.

"During this event, the NORAD aircraft also used flares -- which may have been visible to the public -- in an attempt to draw attention from the pilot," NORAD said. 

"The pilot was unresponsive and the Cessna subsequently crashed near the George Washington National Forest, Virginia," it added.