NTSB investigating aborted landing of Michelle Obama's plane

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the aborted landing of an airplane carrying the first lady, the agency told The Hill Wednesday. 

NTSB spokeswoman Nantel Kelly said the agency has begun looking into the Tuesday incident, in which Michelle Obama’s plane had to circle above Andrews Air Force Base after it was given clearance to land prematurely.

A military cargo plane was not able to clear the runway in time, the Federal Aviation Administration said, forcing Obama’s plane to take precautions. Officials have said there was no danger of a collision between the two planes.

Still, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Wednesday called it “a serious incident” worth investigating, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said during an appearance on NBC's “Today Show” that it underlined safety concerns with air traffic.

Napolitano said the incident, which also involved Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, did not show that the nation’s airways were vulnerable to another terrorist attack. 

“Not in that sense from a terrorism exploitation thing,” she said. “I think it's more of a concern about day-to-day aviation safety. Air traffic controllers are key to the safety of the aviation system overall.”

The White House and the first lady's office have referred requests for comment on the incident to transportation authorities. No one was injured in the incident. 

---