US authorities are investigating an incident where a military helicopter carrying former President Donald Trump came within less than a mile of a passenger plane above Washington on August 4, according to a report by The New York Times. The White House and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the investigation into the reported loss of separation between Marine One and a commercial aircraft.
What happened during the incident?
The incident occurred when garbled communications with air traffic controllers led to Marine One coming within less than a mile of a passenger plane over Washington. The commercial aircraft in question was an American Airlines Embraer E-170 operated by Envoy Air, which departed from Washington National Airport around 2:30 pm (1830 GMT).
Was the president in any danger?
Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, assured that '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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that the air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and the Marine One pilot during the incident.
What are the safety measures in place?
Safety protocols require a separation of at least 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically between aircraft. The FAA has tightened these measures around Washington National Airport following a fatal collision between an airliner and a helicopter in January 2025.
What is being done about the investigation?
The NTSB has initiated an investigation into the reported loss of separation. The FAA is reviewing the incident and will implement any appropriate corrective actions based on their findings. American Airlines and the US Marine Corps have not yet commented on the incident.
