President never in Danger

WH: Trump 'Never in Danger' During Marine One Incident

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an air traffic safety incident involving Marine One after commercial flights at a D.C. airport were reportedly not halted before President Donald Trump's helicopter departed the White House on Tuesday.

The White House emphasized the president was never at risk. "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," White House spokesman Kush Desai told The Hill.

The incident occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m. EDT as Trump traveled aboard Marine One to Joint Base Andrews to board Air Force One for a trip to California. According to reports, the presidential helicopter came within about a mile of an Envoy Air regional jet departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for Pensacola, Florida.

The FAA said there was a "momentary loss of separation" between the aircraft but stressed the situation did not appear to be a dangerous close call. "The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation.

As the White House has said, the president was never in danger," an FAA spokesman said.

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