Trump Helicopter Incident Triggers FAA Review

The Marine One helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump and a civilian passenger plane departing Reagan National Airport came closer to each other than safety rules allow on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

According to the FAA, the aircraft moved away from one another and continued their flights without incident. The agency stressed that the president was never in danger.

The incident has raised questions about why the passenger plane was cleared for take-off while Marine One was nearby.

Following a fatal collision between a military helicopter and a commercial airliner near Reagan National Airport in January 2025, the FAA barred helicopters and commercial jets from operating in the area at the same time.

The FAA plans to convene a safety review team, while the National Transportation Safety Board is considering launching its own investigation.

(Reuters, mja)