--- title: "NTSB: Communication issues discussed before Marine One incident" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-27T18:45:45.497Z" source_reported: "2026-08-27T18:14:47.720Z" updated: "2026-08-27T20:30:11.698Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 59 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-27T20:29:49.957Z" --- # NTSB: Communication issues discussed before Marine One incident *A preliminary report details a meeting between air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots prior to a dual takeoff event.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the NTSB, a named body, and corroborated by 14 digests. - Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from affected parties or details on what happens next. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots met one week before a dual takeoff incident to discuss communication issues, according to the NTSB. - The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report indicated that these communication failures were discussed but not resolved. - The incident occurred on August 4 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving Marine One and a passenger jet. - Radio coverage issues prevented Marine One from reaching the tower before a commercial jet took off nearby, the NTSB report details. Air traffic controllers and the pilots of President Donald Trump’s helicopter met to discuss communication issues one week before a dual takeoff incident. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report states that the communication failures were discussed but not resolved. The incident occurred on August 4 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and involved Marine One and a passenger jet. The NTSB report details radio coverage issues that prevented Marine One from reaching the tower before a commercial jet took off nearby. ## Disagreement on resolution Washington Top News reported that both sides met to discuss communication failures but did not come up with a solution. WPLG stated that the sides met to discuss communication failures and agreed to an alternative for such occasions, but that method was also unsuccessful on the day of the incident. Reuters reported that the crew failed to reach air traffic controllers before departing. ## What the coverage left out None of the reports below mention the safety procedures put in place after a midair collision near the airport last year, as reported by Washington Top News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 49 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 51% (25) - Centre: 41% (20) - Right: 8% (4) 4 of 53 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-27T20:29:49.957Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-27T20:30:11.698Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Six left-rated reports led on the meeting between air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots to discuss communication issues one week before the dual takeoff incident. These reports stated that the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the meeting and the discussion of failures. The reports also noted that the issues were not resolved. The Seattle Times and The Independent mentioned that investigators said the meeting occurred before a jet and the helicopter were allowed to take off simultaneously. ### Centre - Nine centre-rated reports focused on the National Transportation Safety Board's findings regarding the communication issues and the dual takeoff incident. These reports highlighted that controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication problems a week prior to the August 4 event at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Several reports, including those from Reuters and Fox5 DC, detailed that radio coverage issues prevented Marine One from reaching the tower before a commercial jet took off nearby. Washington Top News, which provided a full report, stated that both sides met to discuss the failures but did not come up with a solution. ### Right - The right-rated outlets reported that air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots met to discuss communication issues one week before the dual takeoff incident. This meeting was confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board, according to the reports. - The digests stated that both sides met to discuss communication failures. The reports mentioned that the pilots of President Donald Trump's helicopter were involved in this discussion. - The digests did not mention any specific details about the nature of the communication failures or the outcome of the meeting beyond the discussion itself. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 2 - high: 23 - unknown: 5 - veryHigh: 22 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/eeuu/falla-de-comunicacion-puso-al-marine-one-y-a-un-jet-en-riesgo-de-colision-en-washington-b3040661.html) — Communication Failure Put Marine One and a Jet at Risk of Collision in Washington - [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-08-27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](https://post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2026/08/27/controllers-trump-copter-pilots-radio-marine-one/stories/202608270059) — Controllers warned Trump copter pilots about radio failures 1 week before they came close to jet - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/national/controllers-warned-trump-copter-pilots-about-radio-failures-1-week-before-they-came-close-to/article_a1d76737-ebb9-5f41-9442-599aecd8eac9.html) — Controllers warned Trump copter pilots about radio failures 1 week before they came close to jet - [pmg-ky3.com](https://pmg-ky3.com/ap/ap_news/controllers-warned-trump-copter-pilots-about-radio-failures-1-week-before-they-came-close-to/article_51534173-dd9a-5b97-b870-fa78d2ca6b99.html) — Controllers warned Trump copter pilots about radio failures 1 week before they came close to jet - [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714328) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [The NOTL Local](https://notllocal.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [flamboroughtoday.com](https://flamboroughtoday.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [WSVN](https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports - [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/marine-one-trump-helicopter-jet-ntsb-rcna594760) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots of communications issue days before near-miss with jet, NTSB says - [Military Times](https://militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/27/marine-one-crew-failed-to-reach-air-traffic-control-before-safety-incident-ntsb-says) — Marine One crew failed to reach air traffic control before safety incident, NTSB says - [Marine Corps Times](https://marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/27/marine-one-crew-failed-to-reach-air-traffic-control-before-safety-incident-ntsb-says) — Marine One crew failed to reach air traffic control before safety incident, NTSB says - [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/us/marine-one-ntsb-trump/2026/08/27/id/1267542) — NTSB: Marine One Pilots Warned of Comms Issues Before Dual Takeoff - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/us/ntsb-says-marine-one-helicopter-crew-failed-reach-air-traffic-control-before-2026-08-27) — NTSB says Marine One helicopter crew failed to reach air traffic control before safety incident - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/27/ntsb-says-marine-one-helicopter-crew-failed-to-reach-air-traffic-control-before-safety-incident) — NTSB says Marine One helicopter crew failed to reach air traffic control before safety incident - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [CambridgeToday.ca](https://cambridgetoday.ca/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [haltonhillstoday.ca](https://haltonhillstoday.ca/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Prince George Citizen](https://princegeorgecitizen.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714328) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/world-news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says-12714322) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [WCBD](https://counton2.com/news/national-news/ap-controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says/article_46a54d63-e5a7-5832-ab60-675d4d2ff591.html) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Trump copter pilots about radio failures 1 week bef - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/27/marine-one-close-call) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/27/ntsb-controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-communication-issues-week) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says – WTOP News - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-marine-one-national-transportation-safety-board-washington-b3040592.html) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/donald-trump-marine-one-national-transportation-safety-board-washington-b3040592.html) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/national/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/27/nation/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Trump copter pilots about radio failures 1 week before they came close to jet - [Enid News & Eagle](https://enidnews.com/region/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_86367147-afaf-50cc-b982-81b94df057d5.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/washington/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_a23c73b2-00dd-5d42-aae2-1d8a4971072a.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [The EagleHerald](https://ehextra.com/news/nation_world/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_0b8447de-27b2-5981-ba88-1d9c5790430d.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [union-bulletin.com](https://union-bulletin.com/news/national/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_19976f4f-9560-5551-a5c3-8fd10f4a7d83.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [verdenews.com](https://verdenews.com/news/national/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_9b4b8afb-08dd-55a9-bada-31357560f65e.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/dc-controllers-warned-of-faulty-radio-calls-1-week-before-letting-jet-take-off-just/article_351d0ee9-5819-588c-a3c8-d30779970e40.html) — DC controllers warned of faulty radio calls 1 week before letting jet take off just as Trump's chopper did, NTSB says - [NBC Washington](https://nbcwashington.com/news/local/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff/4147220) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff - [abc 7 WJLA](https://wjla.com/news/wjla-poll/ntsb-controllers-marine-one-pilots-met-before-near-miss-tied-to-comms-failures) — NTSB reveals controllers and Marine One crew addressed comms issues week before near miss - [Fox5 DC](https://fox5dc.com/news/ntsb-report-details-radio-issue-before-marine-one-jet-loss-separation-near-dca) — NTSB report details radio issue before Marine One, jet loss of separation near DCA - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/news/world/united-states/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says/article_5ba7835e-de89-5a52-8b34-6375071da269.html) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/27/controllers-warned-marine-one-pilots-about-communication-issues-week-before-dual-takeoff-ntsb-says) — Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says ## Questions **What happened on August 4 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?** On August 4, a dual takeoff incident occurred involving Marine One and a passenger jet. Radio coverage issues prevented Marine One from reaching the airport's tower before the commercial jet took off nearby, according to the NTSB. **Were communication issues discussed before the incident?** Yes, air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots met one week before the August 4 incident to discuss communication issues. The NTSB preliminary report indicated that these failures were discussed but remained unresolved. **Did the NTSB find a resolution to the communication problems?** According to the NTSB preliminary report, the communication failures discussed between air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots were not resolved. Washington Top News also stated that no solution was reached. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "NTSB: Communication issues discussed before Marine One incident", https://mediabias.news/conflict/ntsb-communication-issues-discussed-before-marine-one-incident