Several members of Congress narrowly avoided disaster on Thursday when their American Airlines flight was bumped by another aircraft while preparing for takeoff at Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Among the passengers were House representatives from New York and New Jersey, including Adriano Espaillat, Gregory Meeks, Ritchie Torres, Grace Meng, Nick LaLota, and Josh Gottheimer. All of them shared their harrowing experience on social media.
As the lawmakers were readying for a flight home, their aircraft, American Eagle flight 5490, was struck by another American Eagle plane, flight 5422, on the runway. The incident led to a delay as both planes were escorted back to the terminal. Despite the close call, all passengers and crew members on both flights, which were heading to Charleston and New York, were unharmed.
LaLota was quick to tweet about the experience, humorously adding, “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. Thankfully everyone is ok!”
Other representatives, like Grace Meng and Josh Gottheimer, used the moment to highlight concerns over the recent cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Meng emphasized the need to restore FAA jobs to ensure runway safety, while Gottheimer echoed those sentiments, pointing out that the FAA’s reduced workforce may have jeopardized public safety.
As the incident unfolded, many lawmakers took to social media to express gratitude that no one was injured, while also underscoring their concerns about rising aviation mishaps nationwide. Espaillat, in particular, criticized the Trump administration’s firing of FAA staff, saying, “Aviation mishaps are at an all-time high, and the reckless decision to fire FAA control staff has put us all in danger.”
American Airlines responded to the incident, confirming that the two planes had collided while taxiing on the DCA runway. Although the damage was limited to the winglets on both aircraft, American Airlines assured passengers that safety was their priority and that replacement aircraft would be provided for their journeys. Both planes have since been taken out of service for inspection.
This close call at one of the nation’s busiest airports has reignited concerns over air travel safety and the ongoing debates about cuts to the FAA. While air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, incidents like this one remind us all how fragile that safety can be.
