All articles tagged with #reagan national airport
A U.S. Coast Guard C-37A jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suffered an engine failure after takeoff and made a safe emergency landing at Reagan National Airport with 14 people aboard. Mullin praised the pilots, who handled the single-engine landing professionally, and lawmakers noted the Coast Guard’s aging aircraft fleet as they discuss funding for modernization.
A Coast Guard C-37A jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin diverted to Reagan National Airport after the right engine failed. The emergency landing, with 14 people on board and about 2.5 hours of fuel, was described as routine by Mullin, who praised the pilots. The aircraft is aging, with DHS flagging Coast Guard planes for age and service life concerns, highlighting ongoing debates about modernization of the fleet.
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.
The NTSB's preliminary report says Marine One departed from a temporary Ellipse location due to White House construction, which led to radio communication issues with air traffic control and a brief loss of separation with a commercial jet at Reagan National Airport; air traffic controllers did not stop commercial flights during the takeoff. The White House maintains the president was never in danger, and the investigation is ongoing.
A National Transportation Safety Board report ties decades of FAA–military communication gaps to safety risks around Marine One’s Reagan National takeoff, noting a years-long hotline outage to the Pentagon, radios moved to the Reagan tower to fix line-of-sight issues, and prior controller warnings about comms problems ahead of the incident.
The FAA will impose a three-hour ground stop at Reagan National Airport on August 23 to accommodate the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street race in Washington, D.C., causing flight disruptions in the D.C. area.
Investigators are examining why a plane was allowed to take off from Reagan National Airport as President Trump’s helicopter was approaching, looking into possible miscommunications or procedural gaps in airspace management; no injuries reported and authorities are reviewing aviation safety procedures.
The FAA is reviewing a safety incident in which Marine One departed the White House while an Envoy Air Embraer 170 bound for Pensacola reportedly did not maintain separation near Reagan National Airport; officials said it did not appear to be a dangerous close call, but the agency will convene a Safety Review Team to assess whether the required 1.5 miles horizontal and 500 feet vertical separation was observed, noting that Reagan National traffic rules have tightened after a 2025 fatal crash and that commercial traffic is typically halted when Marine One is in flight near the airport.
Reagan National Airport will close Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for rehearsals ahead of America 250 celebrations, with Wings of Freedom demonstrations and low-flying military aircraft around DC, Arlington and Alexandria; Saturday’s FAA closure runs noon to midnight for the full celebration along the National Mall with flyovers and appearances by Air Force One, the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, tri-bomber formations and B-2 stealth bombers.
America 250 celebrations in downtown DC will cause temporary airspace closures around Reagan National Airport (DCA), with schedule adjustments and possible flight holds on dates including June 24-25, June 28, July 3-4, July 10, and August 22-23. July 3-4 will see the most impact, including hours with no DCA flights in the early afternoon on July 3 and after noon on July 4; operations may resume July 5. Passengers should check with their airline and visit flyreagan.com for updates. Terminal concessions remain open, but parking is limited and there are no approved on-site fireworks viewing; Gravelly Point may be accessed via marked signage.
The FAA’s feasibility review concludes that Trump’s proposed 250-foot Independence Arch near Reagan National Airport would not pose a significant risk to airspace or procedures, but due to its height it would need red obstruction lights and a full aeronautical study before construction; the plan has advanced with oversight from federal planners amid concerns about political influence on safety reviews.
Former President Joe Biden flew commercially from Reagan National to South Carolina but was slowed by an hourlong ground stop caused by fog, traveling with his security detail and engaging with fellow passengers, showing that presidential travel can resemble ordinary air travel.
Former President Joe Biden flew commercially from Reagan National Airport to South Carolina, but fog caused an hourlong ground stop that delayed hundreds of travelers. Biden traveled with Secret Service protection and sat among ordinary passengers, highlighting that even presidents aren’t immune to ordinary travel delays.
Former President Joe Biden flew commercially from Reagan National Airport to South Carolina, joining everyday travelers on the flight; an AP photographer accompanied him, and Biden was later greeted by passengers in Columbia, with delays reflecting typical travel hassles.
Three confirmed measles cases in the DC area have health officials warning of potential exposures at Reagan National Airport, Metro stations, Catholic University, Union Station, and the March for Life; individuals should verify vaccination status, monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days, and contact health authorities if exposed.