- Two planes clipped wings on April 10 at Reagan National Airport, involving multiple lawmakers. No injuries occurred, but the incident adds to ongoing concerns about the airport.
- Lawmakers used the incident to highlight recent FAA staffing cuts, linking the bump to broader issues with aviation safety and urging restoration of FAA jobs to keep air travel secure.
- The FAA has faced multiple controversies at Reagan, including a fatal midair collision, a military jet close call and internal staff conflicts, prompting new leadership and continued investigations into safety and management at the airport.
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A “once in a lifetime” experience for one Washington, D.C. lawmaker is highlighting ongoing issues with American air travel. Two planes clipped wings Thursday, April 10, at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, an airport already under scrutiny for a deadly accident earlier this year.
Who was on the planes?
New York Republican Rep. Nick LaLota was on the plane when the incident occurred and posted to X shortly after it happened.
“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,” LaLota wrote.
LaLota added that New York Democratic Rep. Grace Meng was “handing out grapes.”
Meng also posted about the experience to X, saying, “This incident underscores this urgent need [to] restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe.”
She also posted a video once she made it off the plane, saying everyone was okay.
American Airlines confirmed no injuries were reported, and both aircraft returned to their gates safely.
Lawmakers were leaving Washington as Congress began a two-week recess.
New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer was also on one of the planes. He posted to X saying he, too, was “okay,” adding, “Just a reminder: recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.”
Gottheimer and Meng both refer to the Trump administration’s implementation of significant staffing reductions within the Federal Aviation Administration as part of broader government efficiency measures.
What are the recent issues at Reagan Airport?
The recent cuts and aviation safety have been points of recent political debate, as Reagan Airport has had multiple issues, including the deadly midair collision over the Potomac River in January.
Then, in March, a military aircraft flew too close to a departing flight, causing a close call.
The FAA also investigated a fight between employees inside Reagan’s air traffic control. A supervisor was allegedly arrested for punching an employee, which led to the FAA bringing in a new management team at the airport.
The FAA told multiple news outlets in a statement it is investigating Thursday’s incident on the tarmac.
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Author: Kalé Carey
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