FAA probing Marine One safety incident around National Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating why airport operations were not suspended when President Trump's Marine One helicopter departed from the White House on Tuesday afternoon. Following the tragic midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet at Washington's Reagan National Airport in January 2025, the Transportation Department implemented a ban on non-essential helicopter operations around the airport.

Marine One and emergency flights are exempt from this restriction, but when they fly across the Potomac, a ground stop at the airport is required.

On Tuesday, as President Trump headed to the West Coast, the Marine One pilot attempted to contact the tower at DCA three times to warn air traffic controllers about the approaching presidential helicopter. The tower acknowledged the message, but complained that it was unclear and unreadable. Despite this, Marine One took off and appeared to surprise the tower.

Shortly after, the tower informed Marine One about other aircraft rotating off runway one at National Airport. The helicopter acknowledged and held its position, notifying the tower that it planned to delay its landing.

The Wall Street Journal initially reported the incident. President Trump was never in any danger during the event. The FAA stated that there was a brief loss of separation between the two helicopters, after which they continued to move apart. They added that the FAA would continue its review of the incident. The Marine Corps described the flight as routine, and noted that air traffic controllers had approved the requested route and provided timely and appropriate traffic information.