'I can't hear Marine One': New audio reveals tense lapse in contact with Trump's helicopter
WASHINGTON, DC: New air traffic control audio, on Thursday, August 27, captured a tense communications breakdown between Reagan National Airport’s control tower and Marine One as President Donald Trump’s helicopter prepared to leave Washington.
The recording shows the tower unable to hear repeated calls from the presidential helicopter, prompting other aircraft in the area to relay messages between Marine One and controllers before communication was restored. Trump was leaving for Texas at the time.
Marine One calls go unanswered again
The newly captured audio shows the communication problem unfolding as Marine One was preparing to depart.
The helicopter's pilots reportedly spent about four minutes attempting to reach the Reagan National tower without success.
With direct communication not working, the tower turned to nearby helicopters to relay messages to Marine One.
In one of the most striking exchanges, the controller asks another aircraft for assistance, saying, “I can’t hear Marine One. If you hear Marine One, can you let me know?”
The aircraft responds that it has positive communication with Marine One.
The tower then asks the presidential helicopter whether it is trying to make contact.
Marine One confirms that it is communicating with the National tower and says it is proceeding as briefed, with a momentary delay.
The controller acknowledges the transmission and continues coordinating helicopter traffic in the area.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the standard three-minute notification before liftoff was communicated by an alternate means during the latest episode.
The White House reportedly said following Thursday's incident that it would work with all relevant agencies to ensure the president's safety.
The latest communication problem has drawn attention because it closely resembles an earlier incident involving Marine One on August 4.
Previous incident triggered probe
During the August 4 incident, Marine One came too close to a departing commercial aircraft near Reagan National Airport, prompting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The NTSB said the earlier incident involved communication problems between Marine One and the airport tower.
At the time, Marine One was taking off from a different location near the White House because of ongoing construction.
Investigators said the change in the helicopter's operating location may have affected radio reception and contributed to the communication problems.
The latest incident, the second in a month, is raising serious questions about the president’s safety, particularly amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
