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Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached
Compiled Aug 6
What happened
The NTSB and FAA are investigating why a commercial jet took off as Marine One, carrying President Trump, approached Reagan National Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
The detail
The FAA had ordered after the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision that takeoffs and landings be halted whenever a helicopter passes on a conflicting route.
The detail
The plane was climbing above Marine One as it approached, so the two aircraft were not on a collision course.
The detail
The White House said Trump was never in danger during the incident.
How it unfolded
Jan. 29, 2025: An airliner and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people. · Shortly after the 2025 collision: The FAA required takeoffs and landings to halt whenever a helicopter is on a conflicting route and mandated radar-based separation. · Tuesday afternoon: A commercial jet took off as Marine One, carrying President Trump, approached Reagan National Airport. · Wednesday: The NTSB and FAA said they were investigating the incident. · Wednesday: The main group of victims' families questioned on X why more hasn't been done to prevent airspace collisions.
By the numbers
67 deaths · 3 minutes lift time · 3+ years broken hotline
Still unresolved
It's not clear why the plane was allowed to take off as Marine One approached.