Plane Carrying Members of Congress Bumped by Another at Reagan National Airport

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers heading home Thursday after a busy and eventful week in Washington, D.C., reported that the wing of the passenger jet they were set to fly on was clipped by that of another plane as they waited on the runway of Reagan National Airport.

Word of the mishap first came from Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., who represents New York’s 1st Congressional District encompassing most of Long Island’s Suffolk County.

“Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences,” LaLota said in a post on the X social media platform, adding, “like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plan just bumped into our wing.

“Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok! — and Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., is handing out grapes!” he said.

Meng, who represents New York’s 6th Congressional District, waited until the plane taxied back to the terminal, but once there, filmed a quick cellphone video.

“While waiting on the runway to fly out of D.C. today, another plane clipped the wing of the plane my colleagues and I were on,” she said. “Fortunately, everyone is okay and we’re heading back to New York soon.” 

After thanking those who reached out with concerns, Meng assured her social media followers that she and her colleagues on board were okay.

“We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks,” she joked.

Growing more serious, she added, “I’m grateful no one was hurt today, but this incident underscores this urgent need to restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe.”

Moments later, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who represents New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, comprising the northern tier of the state, said he too had been “waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, [when] another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe.”

He added: “Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.”

That brought a swift response from @RapidResponse47, which describes itself as the “Official Rapid Response account of the Trump 47 White House.”

“Wrong. There have been no cuts to air traffic controllers, safety personnel, or safety-critical positions at the FAA,” it said.

Gottheimer responded.

“You fired 400 FAA employees in February and then were forced to rehire 132,” he wrote, citing an article from the online publication Aerotime. 

He continued: “The head of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization is stepping down as part of your second round of buyouts at the Dept. of Transportation,” citing an article from Reuters.

“Those are the facts!” he said.

At least three other members of Congress were onboard, all Democrats from New York: Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Richard Torres and Gregory Meeks. 

Like their colleagues, all were heading home for the state of a two week recess for Easter and Passover.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it will investigate the incident, which occurred at 12:45 p.m.

The American Airlines flight with the members of Congress on board was headed for New York’s John F. Kennedy airport. The plane that struck it was bound for Charleston, South Carolina.

“American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience,” an American Airlines spokesperson told The Well News

Both planes suffered minor damage and were immediately taken out of service for further inspection and maintenance, the carrier said. 

Thursday’s incident is just one of several that has placed Reagan National under a heightened level of scrutiny since the deadly mid-air collision on Jan. 29 between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter, which killed 67 people.

Last weekend, a Delta Air Lines flight leaving Reagan and four Air Force jets headed for a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery had to be issued corrective instructions for being too close to each other.

A day later, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police confiscated a kite being flown too close to aircraft on final approach to the airport.

The kite, which was being flown at Gravelly Point may have hit a United Airlines plane, police confirmed.

Also last week two air traffic controllers in the airport’s tower got into a physical altercation, resulting in one of them being placed on administrative leave. According to NBC News, that controller was arrested by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police and charged with assault and battery.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue