US senator wants 'full accounting' of Air Force One White House flyover
Duckworth said the aircraft flew below the FAA minimum safe altitude and disrupted flights at Reagan Washington National Airport, with 202 delays reported.
- On Monday, Senator Tammy Duckworth requested a "full accounting" of last Thursday's White House flyover, questioning whether the aircraft was authorized as a training exercise during a children's Halloween party.
- Flight-Tracking data shows the aircraft made two passes between roughly 400 and 1,000 feet near the Washington Monument, prompting 911 calls from residents. Duckworth called it a "dangerous stunt" below minimum safe altitude required by the FAA.
- City lawmakers and airport officials received only 15 minutes' notice before the flyover forced a ground stop at Reagan Washington National Airport. FlightAware reported 26% of departures and 17% of arrivals were delayed, totaling more than 200 flights.
- Responding to the controversy, the White House insisted the flyover "brought joy and excitement," while the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it coordinated the flights. Agencies must respond to Duckworth's detailed questions by November 20.
- The inquiry follows a 2025 midair collision over the Potomac River involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and commercial aircraft. Duckworth criticized President Donald Trump as "more interested in impressing children with his toys" than addressing public safety concerns.
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12 Articles
SOME passengers flying to Washington reported that their planes were forced to circle or their flights were delayed due to overflights.
US senator wants 'full accounting' of Air Force One White House flyover
US Senator Tammy Duckworth, the top Democrat on a subcommittee that oversees aviation regulation, asked government agencies on Monday for a full accounting of why they allowed a White House flyover last week by the presidential airplane in what she said was a "dangerous stunt."
Duckworth condemns Trump’s low Halloween flyover, demands answers
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on Monday condemned President Trump’s recent low flyover in a letter addressed to Bryan Bedford, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget; and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The flyover occurred Thursday during the White House’s Halloween party, with Air…
Senator criticizes Trump administration over low flyover by president’s plane in D.C.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) sent a letter to the FAA, Defense Department and Office of Management and Budget, calling the flyover a dangerous waste of taxpayer money.
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