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White House construction caused radio blackout that let passenger jet fly near the presidential helicopter, safety officials say

Marine One, carrying Trump when commercial traffic at Reagan National had not been suspended as required, is now the subject of an FAA safety investigation.
Marine One, carrying Trump when commercial traffic at Reagan National had not been suspended as required, is now the subject of an FAA safety investigation.

Trump's White House renovation project directly contributed to a near-miss between Marine One and a commercial passenger jet on 4 August, the National Transportation Safety Board has found in a preliminary report. The presidential helicopter's crew made repeated radio calls to Reagan National Airport's controllers but none got through, meaning required safety procedures were never triggered. The NTSB found Marine One tried at least twice — including a relay attempt through Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling — before lifting off regardless.

Helipad construction forced Marine One to operate from the Ellipse, a small park south of the White House, where communications broke down.

Envoy Air Flight 3742, an Embraer E-170 bound for Pensacola, came within 0.82 nautical miles of the presidential helicopter during its initial climb.

Officials stressed Trump was never in danger, and the FAA has since relocated an antenna and changed procedures to prevent a repeat.

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