NTSB: Marine One Crew Couldn't Reach Air Traffic Control Before Near-Miss
NTSB report says Marine One crew failed to reach air traffic control before a close call with a passenger jet on August 4.
A new report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals that the crew of a Marine One helicopter carrying President Donald Trump was unable to reach air traffic controllers before a close encounter with a passenger jet on August 4.
The incident occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport. The NTSB stated that the helicopter crew attempted at least twice to provide the required three-minute notice of departure but was hampered by communications issues. An attempt to contact controllers through a facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling also failed.
The close call raised questions about why a commercial flight was permitted to depart while Marine One was in the vicinity, a period when commercial traffic is typically halted.
The NTSB also noted that on July 30, controllers had met with the Marine One crew to discuss concerns about not receiving the required pre-departure call. The crew acknowledged that communications had been "spotty."
According to the report, the separation between Marine One and the passenger jet, Envoy Air 3742, was reduced to 0.82 nautical miles laterally and 700 feet vertically. FAA rules generally require a minimum of 1.5 miles horizontal and 500 feet vertical separation around airports.
Following the incident, the FAA relocated an antenna and changed a procedure. The NTSB said checks after the relocation have shown no further communications issues. The FAA had previously imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter operations around Reagan Airport after a fatal midair collision in January 2025.