A U.S. military aircraft associated with Air Force One conducted an unexpected flyover of Washington, D.C., on the evening of Thursday, October 29, as part of a Halloween celebration, according to the White House. The event drew attention and concern from residents and local officials due to its short notice and the unusually low altitude of the plane over the city.
The White House shared a video showing President Donald Trump waving outside the executive residence as the aircraft passed overhead. The military plane, which assumes the call sign Air Force One only when the president is aboard, reportedly flew over the White House twice during the event. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft operated at altitudes ranging between approximately 400 and 1,000 feet.
An AlertDC notification was sent at 5:24 p.m. to inform the public about the flyover over the National Mall, but many noted the short warning, with the D.C. Council highlighting on social media that just 15 minutes’ notice was provided. The council’s post acknowledged that the surprise maneuver startled numerous residents, as well as personnel at critical locations such as the Pentagon and National Airport.
The sudden presence of a low-flying plane in a city with some of the strictest airspace regulations in the United States provoked alarm among residents. Washington remains sensitive to aerial activity following a fatal crash near Reagan National Airport in 2025 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Some social media users described the flyover as frightening, expressing fears that a crash might be imminent due to the aircraft’s unusual proximity and the lack of advance warning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the flyover was coordinated with the agency and that a brief ground stop was implemented at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to accommodate the event. Nonetheless, pilots and air traffic controllers at the airport reportedly experienced delays and voiced frustration during the flyover. Recordings from air traffic communications included exchanges in which controllers and pilots questioned the length of the operation and the disruptions it caused.
Observers noted the aircraft flew unusually low for a Boeing 747, drawing further attention and concern. While flyovers are not uncommon in the capital, the combination of short notice and low altitude during this particular event contributed to unease among many residents and aviation professionals alike.