The construction of a new White House helipad helped create radio communication problems that prevented air traffic controllers from hearing warnings that President Donald Trump’s helicopter was preparing to take off, allowing an airline jet to receive clearance to depart at nearly the same time, federal investigators said Thursday.
The incident on August 4 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport exposed a breakdown in a longstanding safety arrangement: Marine One is supposed to give controllers a three-minute warning before takeoff so aircraft movements can be coordinated.
