The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a close encounter between President Trump's Marine One helicopter and a commercial jet.
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing an incident where the military helicopter carrying President Trump flew within 1.5 miles of a commercial jet on Tuesday afternoon. The encounter occurred as Marine One took off from the White House Ellipse while a regional jet from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was departing. Authorities are investigating whether the event violated safety procedures established after last year's midair collision that killed 67 people. Air-traffic control audio reveals that the pilots of Marine One communicated with the tower, but the controller initially failed to acknowledge the three-minute warning. The commercial jet eventually passed the helicopter, and both aircraft landed safely. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the President was not in any danger during the flight. A spokesperson for the US Marine Corps stated that the flight was routine and that the tower did not delay the crew. The administration announced that the review will help ensure continued safety in the crowded airspace near the Reagan National Airport.