Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about a safety incident involving President Donald Trump’s helicopter, Marine One, and another aircraft, and I have to say, it’s quite the story. According to Reuters and air-traffic control audio reviewed by CNN, the incident occurred on Tuesday and is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA said it didn’t appear to be a dangerous close call, but still, it’s worth looking into. The Marine One helicopter took off from the Ellipse, just south of the White House, on Tuesday afternoon, while air traffic at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport continued for a couple of minutes afterward.
The incident is especially noteworthy given the growing scrutiny of the crowded airspace around Reagan National Airport, which is roughly 4 miles from the Ellipse. You may recall that last year, a US Army Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided, killing all 67 people on board. Following that incident, the FAA imposed heavy restrictions on helicopters operating near the airport. It’s clear that the FAA is taking this incident seriously, and rightly so.
Now, I’m not going to get too worked up about this, but it does seem a bit concerning that commercial flights at Reagan National Airport weren’t halted as required by policy. According to two sources, this was the case, and it’s not entirely clear why. A review of air-traffic control audio indicates that the pilots of Marine One told a Reagan National tower controller they were preparing to take off at least three times, but the controller didn’t appear to respond to them. It’s a bit surprising, to say the least.
As I continue reading, I see that the pilots said they were departing on their planned route, and the controller warned them about a regional jet already taking off. The pilots said they saw the plane and held their position before flying on to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, for an Air Force One flight to Los Angeles. It all seems to have worked out in the end, but still, it’s worth the FAA’s attention.
The other aircraft involved was an Envoy Air commercial plane, which was bound for Pensacola, Florida. According to tracking data, the commercial jet passed within 1.5 miles of the Ellipse. Both aircraft landed safely, which is the most important thing. I’m sure the White House is breathing a sigh of relief, and White House spokesperson Kush Desai told the Wall Street Journal that “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.”
As I finish my coffee, I have to chuckle at the thought of all the paperwork and investigations that will come out of this incident. It’s not exactly the most thrilling story, but it’s a reminder that even with the best pilots and equipment, things don’t always go according to plan. In the end, it’s a good thing that everyone is safe, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. And who knows, maybe the President will think twice before taking to the skies again – but I wouldn’t count on it.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
