Trump’s Marine One helicopter loses communication with controllers for second time in a month: What we know | Today’s news
The US presidential helicopter Marine One lost contact with air traffic controllers earlier this week at Reagan National Airport in Washington for the second time this month.
ABC News on Saturday (local time) that the incident occurred on Thursday, shortly after federal officials issued a statement that the problem had been resolved.
Read also | The FAA is investigating an airspace incident at Reagan Airport involving Trump’s Marine One
Here is what happened
President Donald Trump was preparing to take off from the White House Ellipse when Marine One pilots alerted air traffic controllers that they were leaving in three minutes.
When controllers did not respond, another helicopter could be heard relaying information to the tower via air traffic control radio. A nearby helicopter pilot told the tower, “Marine One is trying to reach you. Three minutes to lift off.”
Soon after, the controller can be heard saying she hasn’t heard anything from Marine One, adding, “Oh, I haven’t heard any of that. Thank you.”
According to the report, Marine One made two attempts to communicate with the tower; however, the controller did not hear the transmission and asked another helicopter in the air if he could hear Marine One. The operator said, “Hey Nighthawk 8, do me a favor, I can’t hear Marine One,” adding, “If you hear Marine One, can you let me know?”
However, after Marine One lifted off from the Ellipse, it re-established contact with the tower and proceeded to take the US President to Joint Base Andrews, where he boarded Air Force One.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told ABC News, “The three-minute announcement was made by alternate means, confirmed by the controller, and positive contact was made with Marine One prior to takeoff.”
Read also | NTSB, FAA launch probe after Marine One got too close to airliner
Marine One faced a similar problem
Earlier this month, on August 4, Marine One faced a similar problem when it took off at the same time as an American Airlines regional jet departing from nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The two planes came within 0.82 miles of each other horizontally and were 700 feet apart in altitude, but there was no risk of collision. Usually, other aircraft are held on the ground until the president’s helicopter leaves the area.
Under FAA rules, commercial aircraft must maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 miles and 500 feet vertically from any helicopter flying near DCA.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have opened an investigation into the incident. FAA engineers determined that the radio transmitter did not have line of sight to Marine One’s temporary landing site on the White House Ellipse. The alternate landing zone is in use while construction is underway on the White House South Lawn.
Read also | The construction of the White House contributed to Marine One’s approach to the jet
In a statement to ABC News, the FAA said, “The FAA took immediate action following the August 4 incident involving Marine One, including relocating the antenna to improve communication between DCA air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots and reviewing applicable procedures.”
According to an AFP report, investigators noted on Thursday that construction work at the White House was a factor when a helicopter carrying Trump flew too close to a private jet. The report states, “There was insufficient visibility to ensure communication between the radio transmitter/receiver site and The Ellipse, from which (Marine One) was temporarily operating while construction was underway at the White House.”
Further, investigators also revealed that air traffic controllers at the Washington airport did not receive the first radio transmission signaling the departure of Trump’s helicopter, while “the second attempt was garbled and completely unreadable.”
The White House and the FAA said Trump was never in danger.
