Trump's Marine One Helicopter Flew Within Less Than A Mile Of Passenger Plane; US Launches Probe

Published 6 August 2026 · world

News world Trump's Marine One Helicopter Flew Within Less Than A Mile Of Passenger Plane; US Launches Probe Trump's Marine One Helicopter Flew Within Less

News world Trump's Marine One Helicopter Flew Within Less Than A Mile Of Passenger Plane; US Launches Probe Trump's Marine One Helicopter Flew Within Less Than A Mile Of Passenger Plane; US Launches Probe Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 07:27 IST US authorities are probing a reported loss of separation between Trump's Marine One helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington. White House says Trump was never at risk. US authorities are investigating a reported loss of separation between President Donald Trump's Marine One helicopter and a commercial passenger aircraft near Washington Airport. Officials said the President was never in danger. (Photos: AP) US aviation authorities are investigating an incident involving President Donald Trump’s helicopter, Marine One, and a commercial passenger aircraft near Washington, after the two aircraft reportedly came closer than prescribed safety limits during a flight earlier this week. According to AFP, the Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into what it described as a reported “loss of separation event" between Marine One and a commercial aircraft departing Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) on August 4. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also reviewing the incident. ALSO READ | Trump To Order Piloted Bombing Missions In Iran As US Burns Through ‘Virtually All’ Missile Stockpiles In War? Citing two people familiar with the matter, The New York Times reported that Marine One came within less than a mile of a passenger plane over Washington on Tuesday following what was described as garbled communications with air traffic controllers.

White House Says Trump Was Never In Danger Responding to the reports, White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed concerns over the President’s safety. “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 told AFP. The FAA also stressed that there was no threat to the President during the incident. “The President was never in danger. We are continuing to review the incident and will implement any appropriate corrective actions based on our findings," the agency said. According to AFP, the FAA confirmed that the air traffic controller remained in contact with both the Marine One pilot and the commercial aircraft throughout the incident involving the reported loss of separation. Probe Focuses On Why Plane Was Allowed To Take Off Adding further details, the Associated Press reported that investigators were trying to determine why the commercial aircraft was permitted to take off as Marine One was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington Airport, despite safety procedures introduced after last year’s deadly midair collision near the airport. According to AP, Marine One had departed the White House carrying Trump to Andrews Air Force Base, where he was scheduled to board Air Force One for the first leg of his trip to California. The commercial aircraft took off as the presidential helicopter approached the airport. However, the passenger jet was climbing above Marine One, meaning the two aircraft were not on a collision course.