The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Presidential Jet Flew as Low as 400 Feet Over Washington, Alarming Residents and Disrupting Flights: 'A Reckless Vanity Stunt
Tammy Duckworth seeks answers after a Qatar-gifted 747 made two low passes over the White House, prompting 911 calls and a ground stop at Reagan National.
A Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 that serves as Air Force One reportedly flew as low as 400 feet over Washington, D.C., during a White House Halloween event, according to flight-tracking data cited by a senator.
Two low passes were made around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, 29 October, while President Trump and the first lady handed out candy on the South Lawn. At the time, Trump was on the ground, so the aircraft was not technically Air Force One.
The event prompted numerous 911 calls from alarmed residents and led to a ground stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The city’s AlertDC system issued a public warning only after the flyover began.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth has called for a full accounting by 20 November, asking for details on who approved the mission, how it was logged, and the costs involved. Her letter requests information on altitude authorization, funding sources, and whether 15 minutes’ notice was standard procedure.
The FAA said the flyover was coordinated with the agency and caused a brief ground stop at DCA, but exact timings and the duration of the stop were not disclosed. Flight tracking indicated a number of inbound flights experienced delays that day.
Duckworth linked the incident to broader concerns about aviation safety and post-2009 notification procedures, seeking answers on whether existing guidelines were followed and how future notices will be handled. The White House disputed accusations of impropriety, noting that protocols were followed.