'Safety Incident' Involving Helicopter Carrying Trump Sparks FAA Investigation: Report
A commercial jet was allowed to leave Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday at the same moment President Donald Trump’s helicopter took off from the White House, sparking a federal investigation.
The Wall Street Journal called the episode a “safety incident” that took place because air traffic controllers had not halted commercial air traffic.
Federal Aviation Administration officials said the incident may have caused what is known as a loss of standard separation. Federal rules for the busy airspace near the airport require aircraft to be at least 1.5 miles apart horizontally and 500 feet vertically.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating, according to the Associated Press.
The FAA said in a statement that a preliminary investigation showed “there was a momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another.”
The White House said there was no danger to Trump.
“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,” White House representative Kush Desai said.
The Marine Corps said the incident was not a crisis.
“There were no ‘close calls’ with the routine Marine One movement,” Marine Corps representative Capt. Jacob Sugg said. “Washington National Tower did not delay the helicopter crew, ask them to hold, or otherwise alter their flight profile.”
The Washington Post noted that under standard guidelines, Marine One gives Reagan controllers a three-minute warning before takeoff from the White House to ensure the airspace is clear for a flight to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Audio recordings indicated the warning was given but not received.
“Tower, just want to make sure you copy. Marine One, three minutes to lift,” the pilot said moments after 2:30 p.m.
“Tower, do you copy? Marine One, three minutes to lift,” the pilot said seconds later.
“Last calling, that’s broken and unreadable,” the controller responded.
A few minutes later, the chopper pilot said: “National tower, Marine One, proceeding as briefed.”
“Uh, Marine One, you said you’re proceeding as briefed?” the air traffic controller said. After the pilot said he was, the controller said, “Okay no three minutes. Roger, proceed as briefed.”
The controller then told Marine One an American Airlines jet bound for Florida was taking off.
The Marine One pilot said it would hold for a “momentary delay” before heading to Joint Base Andrews.
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