FAA is investigating why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a plane was allowed to take off as President Donald Trump's helicopter was approaching Reagan National Airport Tuesday afternoon in what appears to be a violation of safety procedures put in place after last year's midair collision near that busy Washington D.C. airport.

The incident occurred as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard for the first leg of a West Coast trip. A commercial jet took off at the same time. The FAA decided after 67 people died on Jan. 29, 2025 when an airliner collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter that all takeoffs and landings at Reagan would be halted anytime a helicopter passes by the airport.

The airplane that took off Tuesday was climbing above Marine One as the helicopter approached, so the two aircraft were not on a collision course.

The FAA said in a statement that “there was a 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,” the FAA said.

The White House emphasized that President Trump was not in danger during the incident.

“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,” said White House spokesman, Kush Desai.

And the Marine Corps defended the actions of their helicopter pilots.

“There were no ‘close calls’ with the routine Marine One movement,” Tuesday, said Marine Corps spokesman, Capt. Jacob Sugg in an email. “Washington National Tower did not delay the helicopter crew, ask them to hold, or otherwise alter their flight profile. To the contrary, the ATC team approved the requested route and provided timely and appropriate traffic information.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported the incident.

The airspace near the White House and Reagan is heavily congested with military and commercial aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration took steps to ensure that helicopters and airplanes would no longer share the same airspace around Reagan National Airport shortly after the investigation into last year's midair collision began. The rules also prohibit air traffic controllers from relying on visual separation and require all military aircraft to broadcast their locations.

The main group of family members of the victims of last year's crash questioned why the government hasn't done more to prevent collisions in the crowded airspace around Reagan in a post on X Wednesday morning. The family members have been urging Congress to reach a compromise and pass the package of aviation safety reforms that the NTSB recommended after the midair collision.

The NTSB said Wednesday morning that it is still gathering information about Tuesday's incident involving Marine One and hasn't yet decided whether to investigate.

Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska.

President Donald Trump walks from Marine One with Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, to board Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump walks from Marine One with Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, to board Air Force One, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The Preakness could be getting a new spot on the calendar following years of speculation about the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown moving further away from the Kentucky Derby.

A staple on the third Saturday in May nearly every year since 1950, the date for the 152nd rendition of the Preakness is set to be unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club at a news conference in the state capital of Annapolis. The only time over the past three-quarters of a century it did not take place on its usual date was in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Calls to change the spacing of the Triple Crown races loudened within the sport in recent years, as owners and trainers increasingly opted to skip the Preakness because the two-week turnaround is much shorter than what is now normal for modern 3-year-old thoroughbreds. Golden Tempo became the second Derby winner in a row and third in five years not to take part, and only three horses ran in both.

But the Belmont Stakes staying on the first Saturday in June next year could extend the troubles of the condensed schedule for at least one more Triple Crown season. The return of the race to Belmont Park is set for June 5, as part of a new 3-year-old championship series announced Monday that includes the Derby, the Belmont and races into the summer and possibly early fall.

For at least ’27, that series does not include the Preakness, which is set to take place back at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore following a one-time stop at Laurel Park. Full reconstruction of the new Pimlico is expected to be completed by the spring of 2028.

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

FILE - Horses compete during the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

FILE - Taj Mahal and other horses compete during the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)