The US Air Force said it is probing a near-miss between a plane carrying President Donald Trump and an object believed to be a drone. The close call came just before the craft touched down at Andrews Air Base in Maryland.
The 89th Airlift Wing said it “is aware of the report” and that “the matter is under review,” in a brief statement on Monday, adding that the aircraft carrying the president – a Boeing C-32A, modeled on the 757 – “landed safely without incident.”
@realDonaldTrump just landed at Andrews on AF1. Shortly before, while descending,we flew right over a small object, remarkably close to the president’s plane. Resembled a drone though I’m no expert. pic.twitter.com/roDFgpp4XH
The potentially disastrous mishap unfolded on Sunday, first reported by the AFP’s Sebastian Smith, who was on board the flight. Taking to Twitter, Smith said that just prior to landing at Andrews, “while descending, we flew right over a small object, remarkably close to the president’s plane,” adding that the device “resembled a drone.”
Another reporter on board also noted the incident, relaying that “multiple” other passengers saw the object as well.
Multiple people on AF1 saw what appeared to be a drone just below the plane as we were descending toward Joint Base Andrews. We came very close to hitting it, per @SebastianAFP, who had a window seat. pic.twitter.com/WVbxT9ckG7
Though such close shaves are uncommon for Air Force One – the designation given to any plane carrying the president – the military has recorded dozens of similar encounters in recent years, according to the Drive, including with a number of mysterious craft that remain unidentified. The airspace over Andrews has also seen its share of action as of late, with an Air Force helicopter forced to make an emergency landing last week after a crew member was struck with a bullet amid a routine training mission to a nearby airport in Virginia. Federal agents are still investigating the incident.
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