Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who is the top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee overseeing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said flight-tracking data showed the aircraft made two passes over the White House on Thursday at altitudes of approximately 400 to 1,000 feet (122 to 305 meters). She said the aircraft also flew close to the top of the Washington Monument, Reuters reported.
The senator described the flyover as a “dangerous stunt,” arguing that it took place below the minimum safe altitude required by the FAA.
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The maneuver prompted a temporary disruption at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and drew criticism from local officials over the short notice given to residents, government agencies and airport authorities.
Duckworth asked the FAA, the Pentagon and the White House Office of Management and Budget to answer detailed questions about the flight, including its cost, approval process and the reasons for the limited advance notice.
She asked the Pentagon whether the flight had been authorized as a training exercise and, if so, what objective it was intended to achieve. She also questioned FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford about when the agency was notified and what minimum altitude it had approved.
The Pentagon and the FAA said they would respond directly to Duckworth. The FAA confirmed that the flight had been coordinated with the agency.
The White House and the Office of Management and Budget did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The District of Columbia City Council said the limited notice had “startled many, including us.” Airline officials said they had received less than an hour’s notice of the flyover.
Some passengers traveling to Washington reported that their aircraft had to circle before landing or experienced delays. Flight-tracking website FlightAware said 26% of departing flights and 17% of arriving flights were delayed on Thursday, with 202 flights affected in total. Most of the delays were linked to the airport disruption.
The aircraft is designated Air Force One when US President Donald Trump is on board. Trump has frequently featured presidential aircraft flyovers at events he attends, including sporting occasions.
Duckworth’s request seeks to establish how the Halloween flyover was authorized, whether it complied with aviation safety requirements and how much it cost.
