A Spirit Airlines flight nearly collided with Air Force One on Wednesday.
The close call occurred less than an hour after President Trump departed Washington, D.C.
Air Traffic Control Recording
An air traffic controller was heard yelling at the Spirit pilot.
The controller accused the pilot of being distracted by an iPad.
“Pay attention! Get off the iPad,” the controller shouted repeatedly.
AIR FORCE ONE and Spirit Airlines flt NK1300 got too close over Long Island, New York for Air Traffic Control and get’s yelled at including getting told “GET OFF THE IPAD”! 😂
Tip via @xJonNYC
Audio via @liveatc & Tracking via @ADSBex pic.twitter.com/sLJ0rip8sG
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 17, 2025
The pilot initially delayed acknowledging an order to change course.
Controllers instructed the Spirit flight to turn 20 degrees right.
The order was meant to avoid conflict with Air Force One.
The controller warned traffic was just eight miles off the wing.
Flight Paths
Spirit Airlines flight 1300 was en route from Fort Lauderdale to Boston.
The plane came within about