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New Delhi : US aviation authorities are investigating a reported aviation safety incident involving Marine One, the helicopter carrying President Donald Trump, after it allegedly came within less than a mile of a commercial passenger aircraft near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday.
The reported “loss of separation” occurred as Marine One departed the White House for Andrews Air Force Base, while an American Airlines regional flight was taking off from the airport. Although the proximity has triggered a federal investigation, the White House has stressed that President Trump was never in danger.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that it is examining the incident alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to the FAA, air traffic controllers maintained communication with both aircraft throughout the event, and investigators will determine whether established safety procedures were followed or if any corrective measures are necessary.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed concerns over the president’s safety, saying Marine One is flown by highly experienced military pilots and that the flight posed no risk to President Trump. The FAA also stated that the president’s safety was never compromised while confirming that a detailed review of the incident is underway.
Reports suggest investigators are also examining whether communication issues between air traffic controllers and the aircraft contributed to the close approach. The Wall Street Journal reported that standard aviation guidelines generally call for at least 1.5 miles of horizontal separation and 500 feet of vertical separation between aircraft in similar situations.
The commercial aircraft involved was reportedly an American Airlines Embraer E-170, operated by Envoy Air. Marine One later landed at Andrews Air Force Base, where President Trump boarded Air Force One for his scheduled trip to California.
The US Marine Corps, which operates Marine One, has rejected descriptions of the incident as a dangerous near-miss. Marine Corps spokesperson Captain Jacob Sugg said there were no “close calls” during the routine presidential flight and noted that air traffic controllers neither instructed the helicopter crew to hold nor altered its planned route.
The investigation comes amid heightened focus on aviation safety in Washington’s airspace following the fatal January 2025 collision between a passenger aircraft and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives. Authorities are expected to analyse flight data, air traffic control communications and operational records before releasing their findings.
