Federal officials probing safety incident involving Marine One

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Federal aviation officials said Wednesday that they are reviewing a "loss of separation incident" between the presidential Marine One helicopter and a commercial aircraft, the latest safety incident to affect the president's air travel.

The safety incident occurred Tuesday, the National Transportation Board told UPI in an emailed statement.

President Donald Trump was aboard Marine One when it departed the Ellipse near the White House at 2:33 p.m. EDT for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he boarded Air Force One en route to Los Angeles.

The NTSB said the incident occurred between Marine One and an aircraft departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration told UPI that it was a "momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another."

"The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation," it said. "As the White House has said, the president was never in danger."

UPI has contacted the White House for comment.

The incident is the latest concern involviing the president's air travel.

Last month, Trump unexpectedly departed Turkey following a two-day NATO summit aboard an older Air Force One and then switched in Britain to the newly renovated Qatari-gifted jet on which he had arrived in Ankara.

The New York Times days later reported the jet switch was prompted by a threat that Iranian proxy militants were targeting him and his plane. Trump has denied that was the reason for the switch.

In January, an older version of Air Force One with Trump on board was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews due to an electrical issue. He had departed aboard the aircraft en route to Zurich for the World Economic Forum, but was forced to return.

This week in Washington

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during a press conference after weekly Senate caucus luncheons at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. With the August recess approaching, Senate Republicans are looking to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as Attorney General and pass a budget bill to prevent a shutdown before the midterms. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo