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FAA says it is investigating Trump helicopter safety incident in Washington
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- The FAA is investigating a safety incident involving President Trump's Marine One helicopter and a commercial regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, though it did not appear to be a dangerous close call or involve converging aircraft.
- Marine One took off from the White House at 2:33 p.m., but commercial flights at Reagan National were not halted as required by FAA policy established after a fatal mid-air collision in January 2025.
- The regional jet Envoy Air 3742, departing at 2:34 p.m. for Pensacola, Florida, was involved in the apparent loss of required separation from Marine One, though both aircraft landed safely without incident.
- The FAA plans to convene a Safety Review Team to examine the incident, while another regional flight was rerouted out of caution during the event.
- Following the 2025 fatal collision that killed 67 people, the FAA imposed strict restrictions on helicopter operations near Reagan National Airport, including barring mixed helicopter and jet traffic and halting commercial flights when Marine One is in flight nearby.
