FAA probes Reagan near miss involving Trump helicopter, passenger jet
What's new: Controllers appear not to have halted departures under post-2025 crash rules, and the NTSB may open a separate investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a passenger jet was cleared to depart Reagan Washington National Airport as Marine One approached with President Donald Trump aboard, creating what the agency described as a momentary loss of separation. The FAA adopted procedures after the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan that killed 67 people, requiring takeoffs and landings to stop when helicopters pass the airport. Reuters reported the flight involved Envoy Air 3742, an Embraer E170 bound for Pensacola, Florida. Both aircraft continued safely and were not on a collision course, and the White House said Trump was not in danger. The National Transportation Safety Board is weighing whether to open its own investigation.