Air traffic controllers failed to halt commercial departures as President Donald Trump's Marine One helicopter lifted off from the White House on Tuesday, resulting in a brief loss of separation with an Envoy Air passenger jet near Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Marine One departed the Ellipse at 2:33 p.m. bound for Joint Base Andrews, while Envoy Air flight 3742, an Embraer E170 en route to Pensacola, left its gate at 2:18 p.m. and was airborne by 2:34 p.m. Pilots reported seeing the aircraft and held position before continuing. The White House said Trump was never in danger.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating and plans to convene a safety review team. The incident occurred under restrictions imposed after a mid-air collision near the same airport last year that killed 67 people. The National Transportation Safety Board is also considering opening a case.