What we know
What we know: Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached
Compiled Aug 6
What we know
- 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 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 plane was climbing above Marine One as it approached, so the two aircraft were not on a collision course.
- The White House said Trump was never in danger during the incident.
- The Marine Corps said there were no 'close calls' and that the tower did not delay or redirect the helicopter.
- A Pentagon-to-tower hotline at Reagan had not been working for more than three years, a fact that came out after a hearing on last year's collision.
What we don’t know yet
- It's not clear why the plane was allowed to take off as Marine One approached.
- The FAA and NTSB have not yet determined what caused the loss of separation.
- Why the government hasn't done more to prevent collisions in the crowded airspace, as questioned by victims' families.
Open questions
- Why was the commercial jet cleared to take off while Marine One was approaching?
- Why did the air traffic controller not clearly acknowledge Marine One's initial radio call?
- Will Congress pass the NTSB-recommended aviation safety reforms the victims' families are urging?
- Has the previously broken Pentagon-tower hotline issue been fully resolved?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.