Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached

It's not clear why a plane was allowed to take off as President Donald Trump’s helicopter was approaching Reagan National Airport in an apparent violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision between an airliner and an Army helicopter near that busy Washington D.C. airport

August 5, 2026Updated: August 5, 2026

By JOSH FUNK and GARY FIELDS