A Spirit Airlines jet nearly collided with Air Force One as President Donald Trump traveled to the U.K. for his second state visit with the Royal Family this year.
Read Less
The close call occurred over Long Island less than an hour after Trump departed Washington, D.C., according to an air traffic control recording circulating online. In the clip, a controller can be heard shouting at the Spirit pilot to “get off the iPad” and watch his flight path.
“Descent three three zero, Spirit wings 1300,” the pilot can be heard confirming as he repeats a directive from control. Seconds later, however, another order was briefly ignored.
“Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right, vectors traffic in descent,” the Boston controller states in reference to Air Force One’s flight path. “Pay attention!” he shouts while repeating the order multiple times.
After the pilot grudgingly acknowledges the order, the controller warns him that “traffic” is “off your wing by… eight miles.”
“I’m sure you can see who it is,” the controller states. “I’ll keep an eye out for him, he’s white and blue.”
Each directive was repeated twice, following instructions given to the Boston controller to ensure the airspace was clear for Trump’s flight. “Pay attention! Get off the iPad,” he shouts.
LISTEN:
Spirit Flight 1300, en route from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, was involved in the near-miss. Flight radar data indicated the two aircraft came within roughly 11 miles of each other, the Daily Mail reported.