American Airlines Plane Carrying Congress Members Collides with Another Aircraft at D.C. Airport

On Thursday afternoon, two aircraft experienced a partial collision at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. One plane, which was in the process of taxiing—moving slowly towards the runway for takeoff—struck the wing of another stationary aircraft on one of the airport's taxiways. Despite no reported injuries, the incident sparked tension on board, particularly as several members of the United States Congress were among the passengers. The event necessitated the cancellation of the takeoff, prompting a return to the gate for damage assessment and a technical inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Unexpected Collision and Prompt Reaction

Witnesses described the moment of impact as sudden but without a loud noise. A passenger captured video inside the cabin moments after the collision, where the pilot can be heard addressing the travelers. "The FAA is going to come and do some inspections, so for now we've been told to stay put. This could take five minutes or an hour, sorry, I can't tell you right now," the pilot communicated. Visibly concerned, the pilot worked to maintain calm as safety protocols were activated. The cabin remained closed, with passengers staying seated for several minutes until the plane was cleared to return to the terminal.

Congress Members Share Real-Time Accounts

Among those on the impacted flight was New York Congressman Nick LaLota, who shared his experience on social media. "Another plane just hit our wing. We’re back at the gate, but thankfully we’re all okay," he posted on X, accompanying his message with a photo showing the damaged wing from his window seat. While the situation was under control, it led to cancellations or rescheduling for some passengers. LaLota also noted that his colleague, Congresswoman Grace Meng, helped ease the tension by distributing grapes as a friendly gesture during the wait. Another passenger, Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey, was also aboard. Confirming he was unharmed, he took the opportunity to criticize recent FAA budget cuts, stating, "While waiting to take off at DCA, another plane hit our wing. Luckily, we’re all safe. Just a reminder: recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety."

Inspection Underway, No Injuries Reported

Following the collision, both planes were removed from operation to undergo detailed technical inspections. The FAA has initiated a preliminary investigation to pinpoint the exact causes of the accident, which may involve ground control communication failures, human errors, or deficiencies in ground signaling and coordination. Although no official reports of injuries were issued, the incident was particularly symbolic due to the involvement of high-profile political figures and its occurrence at an airport that has been under scrutiny for safety issues.

This incident comes just three months after one of the most severe aviation disasters in recent U.S. history, also at Reagan Airport. In January, an American Airlines commercial jet collided in mid-air with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. The collision, occurring during approach maneuvers, was described by witnesses as an explosion followed by debris raining down over the airport's perimeter. This tragic event sparked a nationwide shockwave, especially given its proximity to the political heart of the United States. The disaster triggered a wave of criticism against federal authorities and airport management and led to an urgent review of air traffic control protocols. The FAA and the Department of Defense launched independent investigations, demanding increased coordination between civilian flights and military operations in mixed-traffic zones.

Since then, the airport has experienced a series of concerning incidents: aborted landings, reports of air traffic control errors, and internal complaints about tower tensions. Notably, in the weeks following the January tragedy, a physical altercation between two air traffic controllers occurred in the tower, ending with blood on a navigation console.