The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a loss-of-separation incident involving President Donald Trump's Marine One helicopter and a regional passenger jet departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
According to the FAA, the presidential helicopter and an Envoy Air Embraer E170 briefly came closer than the minimum separation required under U.S. regulations. Both aircraft continued their flights without incident and the president was never considered to be in danger.
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The incident occurred on Aug. 5 after Marine One departed the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews. At nearly the same time, Envoy Flight 3742 departed Reagan National for Pensacola, Florida.
Following the fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk near Reagan National in January 2025, the FAA prohibited simultaneous helicopter and commercial jet operations in the airport area. Commercial departures are normally suspended several minutes before Marine One takes off.
The agency said its preliminary review found a momentary loss of separation and confirmed that air traffic controllers were communicating with both crews throughout the event. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also opened an investigation.
Marine One is the radio callsign used whenever the U.S. president is aboard a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter. The mission is typically flown by VH-3D Sea King or VH-60N White Hawk helicopters operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), although the fleet is gradually being replaced by the new VH-92A Patriot.
The presidential aircraft transports the president between the White House, Joint Base Andrews and other destinations around Washington.
