A private Boeing 737 airplane carrying the Republican Vice President nominee J.D. Vance entered heavily restricted airspace surrounding Washington D.C. on September 4th. While no significant response was initiated, such as fighter jet escorts, the pilots of the aircraft received a phone number to call due to a possible pilot deviation. 

 

The Incident

The aircraft involved in the incident was a privately chartered Boeing 737 used for Mr. Vance’s campaign movements. Registered as N917XA and dubbed ‘Trump Force Two,’ Mr. Vance’s aircraft is owned and operated by Eastern Air Express. Visually notable, the airplane is decorated in a unique Trump-Vance 2024 campaign livery. 

Operating a transcontinental flight from Ronald Regan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Mr. Vance’s jet departed from runway 01 and accidentally banked right towards the heart of Washington D.C. instead of turning left and following the Potomac River north.

According to flight tracking data, Mr. Vance’s jet flew directly over the Jefferson Memorial and the World War II Memorial at the east end of the Reflecting Pool before turning westward and resuming the normal course over the Potomac. 
 

At its closest point, Trump Force Two was about 0.5 miles away from flying directly over the White House and 1.7 miles from the United States Capitol building. 

As the airspace around Washington D.C. is extremely protected, especially since the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon, even though Mr. Vance’s aircraft was only in the restricted airspace for a matter of seconds, the pilots of the airplane were issued a possible pilot deviation from air traffic control: 

“Eastern Express 917, I have a phone number I need you to take down.”

“I need you to call when you get down on the ground in reference to a possible pilot deviation.”

 

Speaking on the airspace incursion to The War Zone, U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring said: “The U.S. Secret Service is aware that an aircraft entered restricted airspace in the National Capital Region on Sept. 4 while departing from Reagan National Airport.”

“U.S. Secret Service agents spoke to the pilot, and it was determined that there was no protective nexus.” 

In addition, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) commented that the agency did not take action in response to the aircraft flying through the restricted airspace over the National Mall, a contrast to the supersonic fighter jets scrambled during the Republican National Convention. 

After the incident, Trump Force Two continued to Phoenix without issue where Mr. Vance proceeded to attend a campaign even later that day. 

 

How Does Washington D.C.’s Restricted Airspace Work?

Established in 2003 as a result of the 9/11 attacks and as a precursor to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) was put up surrounding Washington D.C. The circular airspace restrictions extend 30 miles in each direction from the center of the city and up to 17,999 feet. 

Within the SFRA surrounding Washington, two separate, smaller airspaces are off-limits to all traffic, commercial or private. One of the restricted areas (P-56A), the same one Mr. Vance’s jet flew through, surrounds the National Mall, the White House, and the U.S. Capitol. The second (P-56B) is a small bubble around the Vice President’s house. 

According to the FAA, all P-56 airspace violations are investigated by the FAA and U.S. Secret Service with the federal government allowed to pursue further action if deemed necessary. 

Typically, operations into and out of Regan Airport follow an exact route along the Potomac River. Aircraft departing to the north are expected to turn left immediately after takeoff to avoid the National Mall. Similarly, southbound arriving aircraft track down the Potomac before making a hard rightward bank moments before landing. 
 

Should an arriving or departing aircraft fly directly over Washington D.C. at low altitudes or without explicit clearance, pilots can expect flashing ground-based laser systems before U.S. Air Force fighter jets intercept the aircraft and escort it to an alternate airport. 

 

‘Trump Force Two’

Unveiled in mid-July, Trump Force Two has already been involved in a series of accidents. 

Days after becoming Mr. Vance’s primary aircraft, the plane had to divert to Madison, WI after failing to obtain clearance to enter restricted airspace over Milwaukee due to the Republican National Convention. 

 

In August, a door on the Boeing 737 was left open on departure, prompting an emergency return to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). 

Let us know what you think of this restricted airspace incursion in the comments!