Federal investigators confirmed Thursday that air traffic controllers never received the required three-minute warning from Marine One pilots before a passenger jet took off simultaneously with President Donald Trump’s helicopter on Aug. 4 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report found that an alternative relay system, agreed upon during a prior meeting between controllers and Marine One pilots, also failed to transmit the warning.
The incident occurred despite a longstanding Pentagon-FAA protocol mandating the three-minute warning before Marine One departures. According to the NTSB, tower recordings showed no evidence of the warning call, though separate recordings from ATC.com indicate Marine One’s pilots did transmit it. The helicopter crew attempted to relay the warning through Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, but that effort was also unsuccessful.
Officials emphasized that the president was never in danger, and the aircraft briefly came too close before diverging. The FAA acknowledged the proximity but noted the helicopter and airliner moved apart after Marine One’s pilots paused takeoff to allow the jet to pass.
Safety protocols violated
The NTSB’s report suggests the simultaneous takeoff may have violated safety procedures implemented after a Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. Following that crash, the FAA ordered all takeoffs and landings halted when helicopters pass on conflicting routes. The airspace near the White House and Reagan National remains heavily congested with military and civilian aircraft.
Investigators highlight systemic gaps
The NTSB’s preliminary findings indicate that both the standard warning system and the agreed-upon backup failed during the incident. Controllers and Marine One pilots had met one week prior to address recurring communication issues, but the alternative relay method—intended to replace the unheard warnings—also malfunctioned. The report does not yet assign blame but raises questions about the reliability of existing protocols.
White House response
A spokesperson for the White House stated that Marine One flights are operated by highly trained aviators and that the administration maintains the utmost safety standards. The Pentagon reiterated its commitment to the FAA’s warning protocols, which predate the 2025 crash.
The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, with further details expected in the final report.