Although authorities said state and local authorities were notified of the operation in advance, Mayor Bloomberg had no prior knowledge.

Bloomberg, angry that he was not told beforehand, said a flyover so close to Ground Zero was "insensitive" and "ill-conceived."

New York Senator Chuck Schumer said the flyover "borders on being cruel or very, very stupid."

"If you're going to see large jets flying low over New York City, people are going to panic," he said.

Later on Monday afternoon, a White House official apologized for causing "confusion and disruption" with the flyover mission.