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safety

NTSB: Marine One Comm Failure Preceded Airliner Close Call

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that a Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King operating as Marine One experienced a near-miss with a commercial airliner after departing without establishing communication with air traffic control. Radio issues prevented the military flight crew from checking in with controllers prior to takeoff while transporting the president earlier this month. This incident serves as a stark reminder for all aviators about the critical dangers of operating in congested airspace during a loss of communication.

industry

Washington Reagan National plans $835 million Terminal 1 replacement

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is preparing an $835 million overhaul of Terminal 1 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Slated for completion by 2031, the project will replace the 1970s-era circular concourse with a modern, nine-gate facility and a new centralized check-in building. The upgrade primarily serves Southwest Airlines and routes passengers through the historic 1941 lobby, representing continued infrastructure modernization that will eventually shift ground movements and gate assignments for flight crews operating in the restricted capital airspace.

safety

FAA investigates Marine One separation loss near Reagan National

The FAA is looking into an August 2026 airspace incident where Marine One and an Envoy Air Embraer E175 flew too close together near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The presidential helicopter and the regional jet breached the standard Class B separation limits of 1.5 nautical miles or 500 feet, though officials note the aircraft were not on converging flight paths. This highlights why strict adherence to instrument separation protocols remains a crucial focus for pilots and controllers navigating congested metropolitan corridors.