Members of Congress experienced a frightening incident at Reagan National Airport when their planes collided on the runway.
According to Daily Mail, two planes carrying several Congress members collided on the runway at Reagan National Airport on Thursday, marking another concerning incident at the facility that witnessed a deadly crash just months ago.
The incident occurred when a taxiing jet struck the wing of a parked plane, causing damage to both aircraft's winglets. Both planes were subsequently taken out of service for inspection following the collision, which fortunately resulted in no injuries.
New York Congressman Nick LaLota, who was aboard one of the planes, shared details of the incident on social media. Fellow Congress member Grace Meng attempted to lighten the tense atmosphere by distributing grapes to passengers during the delay.
New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer, another passenger involved in the incident, used the opportunity to criticize President Trump's recent cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration. He emphasized that such reductions weaken aviation safety measures and public security.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that both planes returned to their gates after the collision. One aircraft was scheduled to depart for Charleston, South Carolina, while the other was bound for JFK Airport in New York.
The collision follows a series of troubling incidents in U.S. aviation, including January's fatal crash at Reagan National between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives. This tragic event marked the beginning of several aviation accidents across the country.
Multiple Congress members aboard the planes connected Thursday's incident to broader safety concerns. Congressman Adriano Espaillat expressed his concerns about the increasing frequency of aviation mishaps, attributing them to the Trump administration's decision to reduce FAA control staff.
Passenger accounts revealed the impact was significant enough to cause the plane to shake violently. The pilot immediately informed passengers about the necessary FAA inspections, though he could not provide a specific timeline for resolution.
The incident at Reagan National Airport represents the latest in a series of aviation challenges facing the facility. Just weeks after January's tragic crash, the airport witnessed a near-miss when a passenger jet had to abort landing to avoid another collision.
Last week's close call between a Delta flight and a US Air Force jet near the airport further highlighted the ongoing safety concerns. These incidents have drawn increased scrutiny to Reagan International Airport's air traffic control operations.
The latest collision adds to mounting pressure for enhanced safety measures and proper staffing levels at U.S. airports. Aviation authorities continue to investigate the incident while lawmakers push for increased funding and staffing for air traffic control operations.
The runway collision at Reagan National Airport involved two planes carrying multiple members of Congress, resulting in damage to both aircraft but fortunately no injuries. The incident occurred amid growing concerns about aviation safety following January's fatal crash that claimed 67 lives at the same facility. The event has sparked renewed debate about air traffic control staffing levels and safety measures, with several Congress members connecting the incident to recent FAA budget cuts. As investigations continue, pressure mounts for comprehensive safety reforms at Reagan National Airport and across the U.S. aviation system.
