Washington, DC. Aug. 28 – The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Marine One helicopter crew failed to reach air traffic control before a safety incident on August 4 involving President Donald Trump. The Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King came too close to a passenger jet departing Reagan Washington National Airport, prompting questions about why commercial traffic continued when it is typically halted during presidential movements.
Investigators found the crew attempted at least twice to provide the required three-minute notice of departure but encountered communications issues that blocked contact with controllers. An additional effort to relay the message through the helicopter facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling also proved unsuccessful, allowing the jet to take off nearby.
Prior meetings on July 30 had already flagged spotty communications and missed three-minute calls between Marine One and air traffic control staff. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later relocated an antenna and revised procedures, with subsequent checks confirming no remaining communications issues in the area.
Federal Aviation Administration rules mandate at least 1.5 miles of horizontal and 500 feet of vertical separation near airports. During the event, the aircraft closed to 0.82 nautical miles laterally and 700 feet vertically, underscoring the need for reliable radio coverage when Marine One operates from temporary sites such as the Ellipse during White House construction.