Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, to federal officials seeking an accounting of a low-altitude flyover by the presidential aircraft conducted during a White House Halloween event. The letter, addressed to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, raised questions regarding the safety protocols, notification procedures, and taxpayer costs associated with the flight.
The flyover occurred on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, as part of the White House’s Halloween festivities. According to the Senator's letter, the aircraft made two passes over the South Lawn at altitudes between 400 and 1,000 feet, which Duckworth noted was near or below the 555-foot height of the Washington Monument. An FAA official stated the flights were coordinated with the agency, but the D.C. Council reported that the Pentagon and local airports received only 15 minutes of notice.
Duckworth, who serves as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, stated the maneuvers forced a ground stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and resulted in more than 200 flight delays. She cited reports that the unexpected low flight prompted 911 calls from residents concerned about an attack. The White House described the event as bringing "joy and excitement," while Duckworth characterized the use of the aircraft for the event as "dangerous, expensive and profoundly unserious."
The financial scale of the event involves hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential taxpayer costs, though the exact figure remains unconfirmed. Duckworth noted that the flight was presumably funded through Department of Defense (DoD) operational and training budgets. The Senator's inquiry seeks a concrete accounting of fuel, aircrew, maintenance, and FAA review expenses. She contrasted these expenditures with the economic challenges facing American households, specifically mentioning the costs of groceries and gasoline.
The event also highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety in restricted airspace. Duckworth noted that the flyover took place while 32 of 35 safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) remain open following a fatal midair collision near DCA on Jan. 29, 2025, which killed 67 people. The Senator has requested detailed written responses from the FAA, DoD, and OMB by Nov. 20, 2026, to determine if standard lead times and safety authorizations were followed. A Defense Department official stated the department would respond directly to the Senator.