Presidential helicopter Marine One misplaced communication with air visitors controllers at Reagan Nationwide Airport for the second time this month, in accordance with audio reviewed by ABC Information.
The incident occurred on Thursday, only one hour after federal officers launched a report saying the issue was mounted.
President Donald Trump was about to take off from the White Home Ellipse when Marine One pilots gave a three-minute warning to controllers, however in air visitors management audio one other helicopter will be heard relaying the knowledge to the tower after controllers failed to reply.
President Donald Trump boards Marine One from the Ellipse close to the White Home, Aug. 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C., en path to Houston.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photograph
Moments later, a controller will be heard saying she didn’t hear something from Marine One.
“Marine One is making an attempt to succeed in you. Three minutes to elevate,” a close-by helicopter pilot stated to the tower.
“Oh I could not hear any of that. Thanks,” a controller responded.
A couple of minutes later, Marine One tried to contact the tower two extra instances, however the controller did not hear the transmission and requested one other chopper within the air if they’ll hear Marine One.
“Hey Nighthawk 8, do me a favor, I am unable to hear Marine One,” the controller stated. If you happen to hear Marine One are you able to let me know?”
Marine One with President Donald Trump on board approaches, Aug. 27, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photograph
As soon as Marine One lifted off from the Ellipse, it regained communication capability with the tower and proceeded to take Trump to Joint Base Andrews, the place he boarded Air Power One.
The same incident occurred on Aug. 4, when Marine One took off at the same time an American Airlines regional jet was lifting off from close by Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA).
The 2 plane got here inside .82 miles and 700 ft vertically, however weren’t on a collision course. Usually all air visitors is held till the president’s helicopter is out of the world.
FAA guidelines require that industrial plane preserve a minimal of 1.5 miles horizontal separation and 500 ft vertical separation from any helicopter passing close to DCA.
Marine One with President Donald Trump on board, left, and a presidential help helicopter put together to elevate off from the Ellipse close to the White Home, Aug. 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C., en path to Houston.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photograph
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation. FAA engineers decided {that a} radio transmitter didn’t permit line of sight to Marine One’s non permanent touchdown space on the White Home Ellipse. The non permanent touchdown zone is getting used whereas White Home development takes place on the South Garden.
The FAA moved the transmitter to the highest of the management tower at Reagan Nationwide Airport from a neighborhood residential space. Assessments carried out following the transfer confirmed Marine One had no additional communication points, in accordance with the NTSB report launched Thursday.
The FAA launched an announcement to ABC Information, however didn’t clarify how this occurred once more.
“The FAA took fast motion following the Aug. 4 incident involving Marine One, together with relocating an antenna to enhance communications between DCA air visitors controllers and Marine One pilots and reviewing the procedures concerned,” the company stated. “The three-minute notification was communicated by alternate means, acknowledged by a controller and constructive contact was established with Marine One earlier than takeoff.”
The NTSB continues to steer this investigation.
