Plane Comes TOO Close to Air Force One!

Yellow airplanes parked on the airport tarmac.

A Spirit Airlines pilot was caught using an iPad during flight and had to be scolded by air traffic controllers after flying dangerously close to President Trump’s Air Force One, exposing shocking negligence that could have threatened the commander-in-chief’s security.

Story Highlights

Spirit Airlines pilot distracted by iPad flew too close to Air Force One carrying President Trump
Air traffic controllers forced to issue multiple urgent warnings: “Pay attention, get off the iPad”
Incident occurred as Trump departed for historic UK state visit on September 16, 2025
Aviation safety breach highlights concerning lack of professionalism in commercial aviation

Dangerous Close Call During Presidential Departure

On September 16, 2025, a Spirit Airlines flight created a serious security incident by flying too close to Air Force One as President Trump departed for his state visit to the United Kingdom. Air traffic controllers were forced to issue multiple urgent warnings to the Spirit pilots, who appeared distracted and unresponsive to initial instructions. The incident exposed dangerous negligence during a critical moment when presidential security should have been paramount.

Controllers Forced to Issue Stern Reprimand

Audio recordings captured the moment air traffic controllers lost patience with the Spirit Airlines crew, delivering a sharp rebuke: “Pay attention, get off the iPad.” The controllers had to repeatedly warn the aircraft to turn away from Air Force One’s path, indicating the pilots were not maintaining proper situational awareness. This type of distraction during flight operations represents a fundamental breach of aviation safety protocols that every commercial pilot should follow without question.

Presidential Security Compromised by Pilot Negligence

The incident occurred during one of the most security-sensitive phases of presidential travel, as Air Force One was executing its departure carrying the President and First Lady to London. Any aircraft approaching the presidential aircraft creates potential security risks that could trigger defensive measures. The fact that commercial pilots were using personal devices instead of focusing on their critical responsibilities during such a moment demonstrates concerning priorities in today’s aviation industry.

Pattern of Declining Professional Standards

This Spirit Airlines incident reflects broader concerns about declining professional standards in commercial aviation, where pilots increasingly treat cockpit duties casually. The use of personal electronic devices during flight operations violates basic safety protocols that exist to prevent exactly this type of dangerous situation. When pilots prioritize personal entertainment over the safety of passengers and, in this case, national security, it exposes fundamental problems with training and accountability in budget airlines.

The incident serves as a stark reminder that even routine commercial flights can pose serious risks when crews fail to maintain proper attention and professionalism, especially when operating near critical government aircraft.