NTSB, FAA Probe 1.5-Mile Marine One Near-Miss With Jet Carrying Trump
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 5
NTSB, FAA Probe 1.5-Mile Marine One Near-Miss With Jet Carrying Trump
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 5
Summary
Federal investigators opened parallel probes after Marine One and an Envoy Air regional jet briefly lost required separation near Reagan National while President Donald Trump was aboard the helicopter.
ATC audio reviewed by CNN indicates Marine One pilots warned the tower at least three times before liftoff, but the controller did not clearly acknowledge them and airport traffic continued for several minutes.
At 2:34 p.m., American Airlines flight 3742 to Pensacola took off about a minute after Marine One departed the Ellipse; the helicopter crew then held position after the controller warned of the departing jet.
Both aircraft landed safely, and the FAA said Trump was never in danger, but the incident adds to scrutiny of Reagan National's crowded airspace after last year's 67-fatality helicopter-jet collision and subsequent flight restrictions.