3 weeks ago
Marine One Under Probe After Close Call With Passenger Jet
The president of the United States rides in a special helicopter called Marine One.
On Tuesday, August 4, that helicopter got closer to a passenger airplane than the safety rules allow.
The passenger plane was taking off from an airport near Washington, D.C., and the two aircraft came within less than a mile — about 0.8 miles — of each other.
Safety rules say aircraft should stay at least one and a half miles apart and 500 feet apart in height when flying near airports.
Some reports say the radio messages between the helicopter crew and the air traffic controllers were hard to understand.
People whose job it is to keep flying safe are now investigating what happened.
The White House says the president was never in danger and that Marine One is flown by some of the best aviators in the world.
The air traffic controller was talking to both pilots during the incident, and the FAA says it will fix any problems it finds.
This happened near an airport where a very bad crash killed 67 people in January 2025, so everyone is being extra careful now.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation after Marine One and a commercial aircraft experienced a 'momentary loss of standard separation' near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on August 4.
The New York Times, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported Marine One came within less than a mile — around 0.8 miles — of the passenger jet after garbled communications with air traffic controllers.
The commercial aircraft was an American Airlines Embraer E-170 on Flight 3742, operated by Envoy Air, which departed DCA around 2:30 pm local time as Marine One flew from the White House to Joint Base Andrews.
The White House and FAA insisted President Trump was never in danger, with the FAA saying the controller was in contact with both pilots and that corrective actions will follow its review.
FAA rules require at least 1.5 miles horizontal and 500 feet vertical separation, and protocols tightened around Reagan National Airport after a January 2025 crash that killed 67 people call for halting commercial traffic during presidential helicopter movements.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, aboard Marine One, and the crew of an American Airlines Embraer E-170 (Flight 3742) operated by Envoy Air; the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating.
- What
- An investigation into a reported loss of separation between Marine One and a commercial aircraft departing Washington National Airport (DCA) on August 4.
- Where
- Airspace above Washington, DC, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as Marine One flew from the White House to Joint Base Andrews, where Trump boarded Air Force One.
- When
- Tuesday, August 4, around 2:30 pm local time (1830 GMT), per The Wall Street Journal.
- Why
- Marine One reportedly came within less than a mile of the passenger jet — below the required separation of at least 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically — after garbled communications with air traffic controllers.
Safety investigators and press reports
White House and FAA response
Was President Trump in danger?
Safety investigators and press reports
The NTSB launched a probe after reports that Marine One came within less than a mile of a passenger jet, below the required 1.5-mile separation, raising safety questions about presidential air travel.
White House and FAA response
The White House and FAA insist the president was never in danger, saying Marine One flights are piloted by some of the best aviators in the world and the helicopter completed its flight safely.
Air traffic communications and departure procedures
Safety investigators and press reports
The New York Times reported the near-miss followed garbled communications, with one controller describing radio transmissions as 'broken and unreadable,' and the normal procedure of halting commercial flights during presidential helicopter movements did not occur.
White House and FAA response
The FAA said the air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and the Marine One pilot during the loss of separation and will implement appropriate corrective actions based on its findings.
Key facts
- Incident date
- August 4
- Incident time
- Around 2:30 pm local time (1830 GMT)
- Location
- Near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington, DC
- Reported separation
- Less than a mile (around 0.8 miles / 1.2 km)
- Required separation
- At least 1.5 miles horizontal and 500 feet vertical
- Commercial aircraft
- American Airlines Embraer E-170, Flight 3742, operated by Envoy Air
- Marine One destination
- Joint Base Andrews (Andrews Air Force Base)
- Agencies involved
- NTSB, FAA, US Marine Corps
Quotes
Air traffic controller
An air traffic controller reporting communication issues with Marine One
“"Investigating a reported loss of separation event between Marine One and a commercial aircraft departing DCA (Washington National Airport) that occurred on August 4."”
NDTV
“"The President was never in danger. We are continuing to review the incident and will implement any appropriate corrective actions based on our findings."”
wionews.com
NDTV
NDTV
Kush Desai
White House spokesperson
“"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."”
wionews.com
NDTV
NDTV
Sources
Trump's Marine One Under FAA Probe After Close Call With Passenger Jet Near Washington
Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe
Trump's Helicopter May Have Come Too Close To Plane: Report
Trump has close shave as his chopper comes too close to passenger jet
Trump Helicopter Came Too Close To Passenger Plane, Probe Launched: Report
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