Israeli Fighters Intercept Continental Jetliner after Communication Failure

For fear of possible terror attack, Israeli fighter jets on Wednesday intercepted an American commercial passenger plane after it failed to communicate with airport controllers upon entering Israeli airspace and identifying itself, Israeli TV said.

A Continental Airlines' Boeing 777, on a scheduled flight from the United States, was flying in Israel when it lost contact.

Following anti-terror procedures, two Israeli fighter jets intercepted the plane and guided it back over the Mediterranean Sea until communications were restored, Israel's Channel 10 TV reported.

When it was ascertained that there were no problems on board and the pilot was in control, the passenger plane was allowed to land at Israel's international airport. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, Israeli officials said.

Israeli Transportation Ministry said it was investigating whether there was a technical reason for the communication failure between the plane and Israeli ground control.

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