The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing a potential violation of a new safety protocol following an incident Tuesday involving a commercial aircraft and the Marine One helicopter, which was carrying President Donald Trump. The incident occurred as the commercial plane was taking off from Reagan National Airport and Marine One was departing the White House.
The White House stated that President Trump was never in any danger. "Marine One flights are piloted by some of the best aviators in the world, and at no point was the President in harm’s way," White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News.
The FAA confirmed the review, noting that preliminary findings indicate a "momentary loss of separation" during which the aircraft moved away from one another. Air traffic control maintained contact with both aircraft during the event. "The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation. As the White House has said, the President was never in danger. We are continuing to review the incident and will implement any appropriate corrective actions based on our findings," an FAA statement read.
A loss of separation is defined by FAA rules as a breach of regulations stipulating that aircraft at the same altitude must maintain at least three miles of separation within 40 miles of an Airport Surveillance Radar antenna.
President Trump was en route to Los Angeles for a planned trip when the incident occurred. The U.S. Secret Service referred inquiries to the White House and FAA.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently warned of increasing risks in air travel, citing a rise in reported "loss of separation" incidents and runway incursions. "data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is showing air travel risks rising as more "loss of separation" incidents and runway incursions between aircraft are being reported," Duffy stated Tuesday.