The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced this evening (Wednesday) that it has launched an investigation into an unusual safety incident that occurred during the takeoff of US President Donald Trump’s helicopter yesterday from the White House. During the event, a passenger airliner was authorized to take off from Reagan National Airport simultaneously with the presidential helicopter’s departure, leading to a close approach between the two aircraft.
According to the FAA statement, Trump’s helicopter, designated “Marine One,” took off yesterday afternoon from the White House bound for Joint Base Andrews. From there, the President continued aboard “Air Force One” for a visit to California. At the time of the helicopter’s takeoff, a passenger jet also took off from Reagan Airport, contrary to established procedures in the zone.
The American aviation authority emphasized that the two aircraft were not on a collision course and that the President’s life was not in actual danger. However, the FAA noted that a “temporary loss of separation” was recorded during the event, after which the aircraft continued to diverge.
According to the statement, an air traffic controller was in communication with both the commercial airliner’s pilot and the pilot of Marine One at the time of the incident. The investigation was opened to examine how the passenger jet’s takeoff was permitted concurrently with the movement of the presidential helicopter.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened sensitivity surrounding Reagan Airport, following an aviation disaster in the area in January 2025 when a passenger jet collided with a military helicopter, killing 67 people. Following that tragic event, safety protocols in the sector were significantly tightened, stipulating that whenever military helicopters pass through the airspace, takeoff and landing operations at the airport are temporarily suspended.