FAA investigates mid-air close call involving Marine One carrying Trump and passenger plane

Federal officials in the US are investigating an incident involving Marine One, the helicopter used by President Donald Trump, and a commercial jet. With President Trump onboard, Marine One took off from the White House, but despite protocols, air traffic controllers didn’t stop flight traffic at Reagan Airport – the FAA and NTSB are now investigating why. The FAA said the flight paths were not on a collision course, saying: “Based on our preliminary safety review, there was momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another. “The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation.” Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson said, “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.”