FAA investigates Marine One close call with American Airlines jet

The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation into a safety incident involving President Donald Trump's Marine One helicopter over Washington DC. The aircraft departed the White House grounds on Tuesday afternoon while commercial flights were taking off nearby from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Flight tracking data showed an American Airlines plane bound for Pensacola, Florida, lifting off around the same moment Marine One left.

The FAA issued a statement Wednesday confirming that Marine One briefly flew too close to the passenger jet. Officials noted there was a momentary loss of separation before the two aircraft moved apart. Air traffic controllers maintained contact with both flights during this brief event. The National Transportation Safety Board also opened a probe into whether the helicopter violated safe distance requirements.

Federal rules demand planes stay at least 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically clear of each other near airports. Sources told the Wall Street Journal that air traffic controllers failed to stop flights as usual, breaking traditional safety protocols. Normally, controllers expect Marine One to provide a three-minute warning before takeoff to keep airspace clear for commercial traffic.

This situation follows a horrific crash in January 2025 where an American Airlines regional jet struck an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. That mid-air collision killed 67 people and led the Transportation Department to shut down the route the Black Hawk traveled. Helicopter operations around the airport have faced stricter limits ever since that tragedy.

Captain Jacob Sugg, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps, stated there were no close calls on Tuesday. He added that controllers directed Marine One safely toward Joint Base Andrews. White House spokesman Kush Desai emphasized that Marine One is piloted by some of the best aviators in the world. At no point was the President in harm's way during the flight to Los Angeles aboard Air Force One.