Air Force One Dips to 400 Feet Over D.C. for Halloween
Flight data shows the presidential jet flew below FAA safety thresholds during a White House event, startling residents with short notice.
By John Laurent ·
Air Force One flew as low as 400 feet over Washington, D.C., on Thursday for a White House Halloween event. Flight data reviewed by The Washington Post indicates the aircraft made two passes over the White House. During these maneuvers, the jet hovered between 400 feet and 1,000 feet above the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration sets a minimum safe altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle for planes flying over congested urban areas. The presidential aircraft, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by the Qatari royal family, operated below this standard during the first pass. An FAA spokesperson confirmed to The Post that the agency coordinated the flight.
The White House gave only 15 minutes of notice to organizations in downtown D.C., the Pentagon, and National Airport. The Council of DC, which monitors local aviation traffic, stated that the short warning startled many people. The group noted that the sudden appearance of the large jet caused immediate concern among local residents.
The White House promoted the event on social media, describing the flyover as epic for trick-or-treaters. One post from the Rapid Response 47 account showed the plane flying next to the Washington Monument. Another caption described the maneuver as a special Halloween flyover, accompanied by emojis for pumpkins and airplanes.
Pilot reactions to the low altitude were mixed. A recording reviewed by The Post and posted on ATC.com captured air traffic control communications during the event. One pilot asked how many more flybys the president was planning. Another pilot replied with the hope that it was the final pass of the day.
The low altitude evoked memories of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when a plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people. Several D.C. residents took to X to express their anxiety about the maneuver. The event combined a traditional holiday gathering with a high-profile aerial display that drew attention to the proximity of the jet to the ground.
Source: HuffPost
