US investigates airspace safety incident involving Trump helicopter
Tehran - BORNA - The incident occurred on Tuesday as Trump departed the White House for a trip to California. Marine One was flying toward Joint Base Andrews, a major military airfield outside Washington, while commercial aircraft were operating in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport.
According to the FAA, the two aircraft were involved in what is known as a "loss of separation" event, in which the required minimum distance between aircraft may not have been maintained.
The incident comes after the FAA introduced stricter helicopter restrictions around Reagan National Airport following a deadly mid-air collision between a passenger aircraft and a military helicopter in January 2025 that killed 67 people.
Investigators previously identified multiple failures in air traffic management procedures before the crash, prompting changes aimed at preventing similar incidents involving helicopters and commercial aircraft.
Under current procedures, air traffic controllers are typically given advance notice before Marine One departures so that nearby commercial traffic can be halted when required.
In another incident, an armed man was arrested on Sunday outside Trump National Golf Club in California after federal agents reported suspicious activity ahead of Trump’s planned visit to the property.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele, was arrested on charges including carrying a concealed firearm and possessing prohibited ammunition.
Taele was taking photographs and videos on the property and appeared to be monitoring security-related activities before his arrest, authorities said.
Investigators later searched his residence and recovered weapons, ammunition, body armor, radio devices and notebooks containing what officials described as concerning statements.
Taele pleaded not guilty to weapons charges and a separate robbery charge, while authorities said it remained unclear whether the robbery case was connected to the golf course incident.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the US Secret Service are assisting with the investigation, with officials saying no credible threat to the public had been identified.
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