Another close call at Reagan Airport: Plane carrying lawmakers struck by aircraft| Video
A plane carrying lawmakers was struck by another aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The plane involved was American Airlines flight AA4522.
A plane carrying several lawmakers was struck by another aircraft while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, reportedly resulting in the two planes "clipping wings."
According to NBC News, the aircraft involved was American Airlines flight AA4522, operated by Republic Airways. FlightAware data shows it was scheduled to depart DCA at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport about an hour and a half later.
Lawmakers on the plane -
At least six lawmakers were on board, including New York Representative Nick LaLota and Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Sharing a photo from inside the plane, LaLota wrote, “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 @RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)”
Reps. Gregory Meeks and Adriano Espaillat of New York were also on the aircraft.
“I am safe after another plane clipped our wing while on the runway at DCA. This close call underscores the urgent need for more FAA funding—people’s lives are at stake. Cuts and firing FAA employees are not the answer. Seven members of Congress were on board along with dozens of other concerned passengers,” Meeks wrote in a post on X.
Espaillat wrote, “This afternoon, several members of Congress, including myself and other passengers, were involved in a minor incident where our plane clipped wings with another aircraft while taxiing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Aviation mishaps are at an all-time high, and the Trump administration’s reckless decision to fire FAA control staff has put us all in danger. We are thankful that no one was injured and that a catastrophe was avoided.”
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Ritchie Torres were also aboard the flight.
No one was injured in the incident.
