In a concerning incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) today, two American Airlines regional jets collided on the taxiway, one with six members of Congress onboard, marking yet another mishap at this busy airfield.
Another DCA Incident: Wingtips Of Two American Airlines Planes Collide
At approximately 12:45 p.m., American Eagle flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated by PSA Airlines and bound for Charleston International Airport (CHS), made contact with American Eagle flight 4522, an Embraer E175 operated by Republic Airways, which was stationary and preparing for departure to New York JFK International Airport (JFK).
The Embraer E17 to JFK was carrying several members of Congress, including House representatives:
- Nick LaLota (R-NY)
- Grace Meng (D-NY)
- Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
- Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
- Gregory Meeks (D-NY)
- Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Rep. LaLota recounted, “Serving in Congress has come with some once-in-a-lifetime experiences… like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing.”
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority reported no injuries, and both aircraft returned to their gates without further incident. American Airlines stated that the damage was limited to the winglets of both planes, which have been taken out of service for inspection and maintenance.
This event raises fresh concerns about air traffic safety at DCA, especially following the tragic mid-air collision in January involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities. The Federal Aviation Administration has since implemented changes, including restricting helicopter flights near the airport.
Lawmakers on board expressed unease regarding recent FAA budget cuts. Rep. Gottheimer emphasized, “This is not a time to be cutting the FAA when they’re understaffed already.”
The FAA has launched an investigation into today’s incident. As DCA remains a critical hub for government officials and the public, ensuring stringent safety protocols is paramount to prevent future occurrences, though I’m not sure any protocol would have protected against what may just have been an incident of carelessness.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
image: @Grace4NY / X
Small incidents like this happen a couple times a year, at airports around the country, even before Trump. I don’t see anything “concerning” about this.
I never blamed Trump…
You didn’t. This comment was targeted towards the congresspeople posting about this just as much as you. I don’t support the president, and yes those jobs shouldn’t have been cut, but I’ve been following the news enough to know some people in politics are gonna find a way to bring this incident back to 1600 Penn Ave.
Calm down, Jay. Nobody blamed DJT. Don’t worry so much. Just make money from DJT. WE ALL DID YESTERDAY! Hope that you did. Remember, DJT
Rep. Grace Meng certainly blamed DJT .
Developing also helicopter crash in Hudson river, lower Manhattan. Pilot and 5 tourists dead.
How were the lawmakers on board able to ascertain so quickly that the understaffed FAA gave the pilots bad directions, which led to the incursion? Do Reps. Meng and Gottheimer have backgrounds in aviation investigation? At any rate, figuring it out so quickly is pretty impressive. Thank goodness we have such skilled individuals serving in Congress!
DCA is small. Wing taps occur. It has happened to me. No need to make this political other than our lawmakers sneaking out of town at their earliest convenience.
A failed attempt at ‘draining the swamp ! “
Josh Gottheimer is going to be the next Gov of New Jersey. No idea who the others are.
Premature and grandstanding by the congressperson to blame FAA budget cuts for this incident.
It could be just as likely that the 1250 flight hour rule has reduced the quality of incoming pilots
What were all of the NY-Dems going to be doing in Charleston????
Wing taps do happen. This one is just getting more coverage because some government types were aboard one of the aircraft. Any publicity, as you will recall, is good publicity.