Such flights would also violate the ban on Bosnian airspace imposed by the United Nations last year.

The flights violated a United Nations ban on combat flights over Bosnia and threatened a "safe area" that in principle is under United Nations protection.

Residents could determine which flights violate regulations and file complaints accordingly.

The airlines have generally respected it, though five other flights were violating the curfew when Mr. Spano took office in 1998.

Some indigenous tribal groups also argue that the flights violate their rights as the traditional owners of these sparsely populated, barren territories.

Asked if Mr. Lorenzo's flight had violated any American laws, Ms. Chass replied, "Not to my knowledge, no."

Turkey had objected, claiming the flights violated airspace designated as demilitarized.

Moscow investigators opened a criminal inquiry into whether the flight violated air-safety rules, and one official told the Interfax news service that a terrorist act had not been ruled out.

Mr. Fitzwater sought to play down the notion that the flights by the Iraqi copters against insurgent troops violated any formal agreement between Iraq and the coalition.

The noise of his helicopter irritated the actor E.G. Marshall and other neighbors, who complained to the town government that the flights violated zoning laws.