The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating an incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, where a commercial jet took off just as Marine One, carrying President Donald Trump, was approaching the airport. The takeoff appeared to violate safety procedures implemented after the deadly midair collision in 2025 that killed 67 people.
Incident Details and Initial Findings
The commercial jet was climbing above Marine One as the helicopter approached, so the two aircraft were not on a collision course. However, authorities noted a preliminary investigation showed “there was a momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another.” The FAA stated that “the air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation.”
The White House emphasized that President Trump was never in danger. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement: “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.” The Marine Corps also defended its pilots, with spokesperson Capt. Jacob Sugg saying, “There were no ‘close calls’ with the routine Marine One movement. Washington National Tower did not delay the helicopter crew, ask them to hold, or otherwise alter their flight profile.”
Communication Breakdown Revealed by Tower Audio
Audio recorded by Air Traffic Control revealed communication issues between the Marine One pilot and the tower. The pilot called ahead, saying, “Tower, just want to make sure you copy. Marine One, three minutes to lift.” The controller did not acknowledge that transmission initially, and when the pilot tried again, the controller said the message was broken and unreadable. When the pilot announced the helicopter was proceeding as briefed, the controller seemed surprised, asking, “Uh, Marine One, you said, uh, you're proceeding as briefed?” before giving directions and commenting, “OK, no three minutes, roger, proceed as briefed.”
After the controller warned the helicopter about the plane taking off, the Marine One pilot said he saw the traffic and declared, “We'll be doing a momentary delay.” The Wall Street Journal first reported the incident.
Background: 2025 Midair Collision and Safety Reforms
The FAA decided after 67 people died on January 29, 2025, when an airliner collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, that all takeoffs and landings at Reagan Airport would be halted anytime a helicopter passes by on a conflicting route. The airspace near the White House and Reagan is heavily congested with military and commercial aircraft.
Poor communication between the military and civilian air traffic controllers at Reagan has been an issue in the past. It emerged last spring during hearings on the midair collision that a hotline connecting the Pentagon to the tower at Reagan had not been working for more than three years, and the FAA had not even realized it. The FAA took steps to ensure that helicopters and airplanes would no longer share the same airspace around the airport shortly after the investigation into the 2025 collision began. The rules also require air traffic controllers to use radar, and not rely on pilots' eyes, to maintain separation, and require all military aircraft to broadcast their locations.
Victims' Families Demand Action
The main group of family members of the victims of the 2025 crash questioned why the government has not done more to prevent collisions in the crowded airspace around Reagan in a post on Wednesday, August 5, on the social platform X. The family members have been urging Congress to reach a compromise and pass the package of aviation safety reforms that the NTSB recommended after the midair collision.
The incident has renewed concerns about airspace safety and the need for improved communication between military and civilian aviation authorities. As investigations continue, the FAA and NTSB are expected to provide more details on the circumstances surrounding the near miss.
