The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a safety breach at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after a commercial aircraft took off while Marine One, carrying President Donald Trump, was in the air Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred as Marine One departed the White House at 2:33 p.m. en route to Joint Base Andrews, where Trump boarded Air Force One for a West Coast trip. One minute later, a commercial jet took off from Reagan National Airport, violating safety protocols established after a January 29, 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people. The FAA confirmed the investigation in a statement, noting a “momentary loss of separation” between the aircraft before they diverged.
FAA Response and Safety Protocols
The FAA stated that air traffic controllers are required to halt all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National whenever Marine One or other presidential helicopters are in the vicinity. This policy was implemented following the 2025 collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter. The FAA described the incident as not a dangerous close call, emphasizing that the aircraft were not on a collision course.
In a statement, the FAA said: “The FAA is investigating a safety incident involving Marine One but it didn’t appear to be a dangerous close call and the aircraft weren’t apparently converging.” The agency added that air traffic control was in contact with both aircraft during the separation loss and that corrective actions would be implemented based on findings.
White House and Aviation Officials Weigh In
A White House spokesman, Kush Desai, dismissed concerns about the president’s safety, stating: “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.” Desai reiterated that standard safety procedures were followed, though the FAA’s investigation suggests otherwise.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the incident, noting that air traffic control had not yet halted flights at Reagan National when Marine One departed. A second flight was briefly instructed to circle the airport before landing at 2:52 p.m. as a precaution.
Policy Background and Long-Term Implications
The 2025 midair collision prompted the FAA to enforce stricter separation rules for aircraft near Reagan National. Under current regulations, aircraft must maintain at least 1.5 miles of horizontal separation and 500 feet of vertical separation around the airport. The FAA’s review will determine whether these protocols were violated and whether additional safeguards are needed.
Visual Evidence and Public Scrutiny
A video posted by aviation journalist Dave Statter showed the commercial jet, identified as Envoy Air Flight 3742, climbing above Marine One as it followed the Potomac River north. The footage provided additional context to the FAA’s preliminary assessment that the aircraft did not pose an immediate threat.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the FAA expected to release further details in the coming days.