Plane Carrying U.S. Lawmakers Clipped by Another Aircraft on D.C. Runway

An American Airlines flight carrying many members of Congress at Reagan Washington National Airport was impacted on the taxiway by the wingtip of another American Airlines plane

A plane carrying at least seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives was clipped by another aircraft while on the ground at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Thursday afternoon, according to federal and airline officials.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. as both planes, operated under American Airlines' regional affiliates, were taxiing. U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks, Nick LaLota, Grace Meng, Josh Gottheimer, Adriano Espaillat, and Ritchie Torres were among the passengers aboard one of the aircraft involved. Rep. Meeks confirmed that seven lawmakers were on board the plane along with dozens of other passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines stated that American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways, on a taxiway at the airport.

Flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ 900, was scheduled to depart for Charleston, South Carolina, with 76 passengers and four crew members. Flight 4522, an Embraer E175, was headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and had 67 passengers and four crew members on board. No injuries were reported.

"Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience," American Airlines said in a statement following the incident.

Rep. Gottheimer acknowledged the incident in a public statement, noting, “While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe. Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety."

Rep. LaLota responded with a more light-hearted tone, remarking, “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. Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok! (And Rep. Grace Meng is handing out grapes!).”

This latest incident adds to a series of safety concerns at U.S. airports. On January 29, a deadly midair collision between an American Eagle jet and a military Black Hawk helicopter over DCA claimed the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft.