Particularly that day, the president Donald Trump And the first lady, Melaniathey were aboard the official aircraft. Both were on their way to Londonfor the state visit to the United Kingdom.
In the recording published on the Liveatc portal, it is heard how the controller, from the center of New Yorkhe told the pilot: “Pay attention, leave the iPad.” Both aircraft flew in parallel at Long Island height. Spirit Airbus A321, traveling from an airport of Fort Lauderdalenorth of Miamibound for the international terminal of Boston.
Three occasions, the flight controller asked the pilot turn 20 degrees to the right. Although the responses of the pilot of Spirit They do not appear in the recording, it seems that it was ignoring The indications from Earth.
Urgently, given this lack of response, the coach decided to notify the plane that, in the Air Force One, He traveled president and his wife. The person stressed that, Eight miles of Spirit 1300, approximately 13 kilometerswas a 747 plane. “Look at it. It’s white and blue,” said the controller.
It is difficult not to notice the presidential plane, its appearance distinguishes it from any other commercial aircraft. First, because, in large letters on the sides, “the United States of America” is read. In the tail, it has a American flag And, near the approach door, there is the president’s badge. However, even thirteen kilometers from the plane, it went unnoticed by the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States declared that the airplanes, although close, were never at risk, but that there was the distance required between them. For his part, Spirit published a statement where they stressed that their pilot “followed the instructions” of air drivers.