IAF jets assist US plane after communications fail

Israel air force fighter planes scrambled Wednesday to intercept a US airliner after it lost communications with air controllers, security officials said. The Continental passenger plane was flying in from the US when it lost contact. Following anti-terror procedures, two Israeli warplanes intercepted the plane and guided it back over the Mediterranean Sea until communications were restored, Channel 10 TV reported. When it was determined that there were no problems on board and the pilot was in control, the plane was allowed to hand at Israel's international airport, the officials said.