- Chopper carrying Trump flew within one mile of a passenger jet, prompting an investigation into the incident.
- Probe underway to investigate the air-safety incident involving the helicopter.
- White House and US Marine Corps defended the operation, stating the president was never in danger and rejecting reports of a near-miss.
US authorities are probing a mid-air safety incident involving Marine One, which reportedly flew within less than a mile of a commercial passenger jet on August 4. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it is investigating a "loss of separation" event between Marine One and an American Airlines flight departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The incident occurred around 2:30 pm (1830 GMT) as Marine One was en route to Andrews Air Force Base, where President Trump was scheduled to board his aircraft for a trip to California. The FAA stated that air traffic controllers were in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the incident, emphasizing that the President was never in danger.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the operation of Marine One, asserting, "Marine One flights are piloted by some of the best aviators in the world, and at no point was the president in harm's way." The US Marine Corps also rejected reports of a near-miss, reinforcing the safety of the helicopter's operations.
Safety regulations require a separation of at least 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically in such circumstances. The FAA has tightened safety measures around Washington National Airport following a deadly collision in January 2025 that killed 67 people. Communication issues between military and civilian air traffic controllers have been a concern, with a hotline linking the Pentagon and the control tower reportedly out of service for over three years.
“White House spokesperson Kush Desai said Marine One flights are piloted by some of the best aviators in the world, and at no point was the president in harm's way. The US Marine Corps also rejected reports of a near-miss, according to the Associated Press.”
