Federal agencies investigate unauthorized commercial takeoff near President Trump's helicopter

The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of new aviation safety protocols designed to prevent midair collisions in the congested airspace surrounding the nation's capital.

• •A commercial jet took off from Reagan National Airport while Marine One was approaching on Tuesday afternoon.
• •The FAA and NTSB are conducting a formal investigation into the incident.
• •Current safety rules require halting all takeoffs and landings at the airport when a helicopter is on a conflicting route.
• •The FAA reported a 'momentary loss of separation' between the two aircraft.
• •The commercial jet was climbing above Marine One, meaning the two were not on a collision course.
• •The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and the Marine One pilot during the event.
• •The White House and Marine Corps stated the President was never in danger and no 'close calls' occurred.
• •A previous midair collision on Jan. 29, 2025, resulted in 67 deaths.
• •Following the 2025 crash, the FAA mandated that controllers use radar rather than visual observation to maintain separation.
• •A hotline between the Pentagon and the Reagan National tower was previously found to have been non-functional for three years.