Obama 'furious' over plane mishap, sources say

Witnesses reported seeing the plane circle over the Upper New York Bay near the Statue of Liberty.

(CNN) – President Obama was "furious" after one of the presidential jets was allowed to fly low over New York City for a White house photo-op, a senior administration official told CNN.

The Monday morning flight, which caused a brief panic in the city and a wave of building evacuations, was done at the behest of the White House Military Office.

iReport.com: Low-flying plane caught on tape

According to two senior administration officials, the office was trying to update its official photograph of Air Force One. The current one, shot many years ago, shows the plane flying over Mount Rushmore.

Louis Caldera, Director of the White House Military Office, issued a statement late Monday apologizing "for any distress that flight caused.”

Caldera statement after the jump

Statement from Louis Caldera, Director White House Military Office, on Air Force One flight over New York

“Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision. While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it’s clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused.”