Radio gaps and a near-miss: Marine One's Reagan National departure under scrutiny

A preliminary NTSB report shows Marine One failed to properly notify Reagan National before takeoff, and the helicopter’s radio warnings were unreadable due to inadequate line-of-sight coverage from the Ellipse. The Envoy Air jet cleared for takeoff came within about 0.82 nautical miles laterally and ~700 feet vertically of Marine One, prompting FAA and NTSB reviews; no injuries or damage occurred, and controllers issued a traffic advisory only after communications stabilized. The incident follows prior concerns about spotty communications and the three-minute warning requirement, with FAA moving radio equipment to Reagan National’s tower and investigations ongoing.