Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. is under the spotlight once again after two American Airlines planes clipped wings on the taxiway on Thursday afternoon. While no one was hurt, the incident has raised serious concerns — especially considering this is the same airport where a deadly crash recently took the lives of 67 people.
What Happened at the Airport?
On Thursday, two American Airlines planes were on the taxiway when their wings accidentally made contact. The incident happened while one of the planes was stationary, and the other was moving.
Though it might sound minor, the impact caused the entire plane to shake, according to some passengers onboard.
U.S. Lawmakers Were Among the Passengers
Several U.S. lawmakers were on the plane at the time of the incident. Representative Nick LaLota shared his experience on social media, saying:
“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!”
Representative Josh Gottheimer, who was also on board, said the moment was very clear and alarming. “The plane shook violently… the whole plane shook. It was pretty clear we got hit.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres added: “I was just on a grounded plane that was struck by another aircraft.”
These firsthand accounts show just how serious and unsettling the incident was for everyone involved.
Ongoing Safety Concerns at Reagan National Airport
What makes this situation more worrying is that it comes shortly after a major tragedy at the same airport. A recent accident claimed 67 lives, and many are now questioning whether there are ongoing safety issues, especially with air traffic control.
Rep. Gottheimer said: “What’s scary is, it’s the same airport and the same air traffic control issues we believe caused that horrific accident. Now we have another incident. It’s not a great year for Reagan National Airport.”
This event adds to the growing list of safety incidents at Reagan, making it clear that there might be deeper problems that need urgent attention.