The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after a military helicopter carrying President Donald Trump came too close to a passenger jet in what has been described as a major operational lapse.
According to media reports, the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon when the Marine One helicopter came within a mile of a passenger plane over Washington.
The reports said that while the presidential aircraft lifted off from the White House under routine conditions, air traffic personnel at nearby Reagan Washington National Airport had not yet suspended commercial flight operations, as required under standard safety protocols during Marine One departures.
A commercial jet took off around the same time as the President's departure, resulting in a loss of standard separation—the mandatory buffer maintained by air traffic controllers to ensure a safe distance between aircraft.
Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, said the President's security was never compromised during the flight.
"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 NewsNation.
Federal aviation safety regulations mandate that aircraft maintain a minimum separation of 1.5 miles horizontally or 500 feet vertically while in flight.
The FAA said the air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and the Marine One pilot during the loss of separation.
"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 FAA added.
The National Transportation Safety Board has also launched a parallel investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Marine Corps defended the actions of their helicopter pilots.
“There were no ‘close calls’ with the routine Marine One movement,” Marine Corps spokesperson Capt. Jacob Sugg told the Associated Press.
“Washington National Tower did not delay the helicopter crew, ask them to hold, or otherwise alter their flight profile," he said.
