U.S lawmakers had a close call Thursday after an aircraft they were onboard was bumped by another aircraft while on the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C, — the scene of a devastating collision between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk Army helicopter in January.
According to The Hill, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) posted online about the incident but said “everyone is ok,” and added they were not moving when the airplane hit them.
“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,” LaLota wrote.
LaLota added that Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) was also on board the flight “handing out grapes.”
The Hill further reported that Meng responded to LaLota’s post, writing, “Glad my colleagues and I are okay! We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks.” Meng added that the Federal Aviation Administration needs to have recently axed jobs restored.
“I’m grateful no one was hurt today, but this incident underscores this urgent need to restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe,” Meng said.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) posted online that he had a similar experience and blamed the Trump administration for the incident.
“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,” he wrote on X.
The FAA reported that around 12:45 p.m., the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 en route to Charleston, South Carolina, collided with another aircraft, American Airlines Flight 4522, which was bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The collision took place on a taxiway at National Airport and added it would be investigating the incident.
In a statement, American Airlines said there was only “limited” damage to the wing of the aircraft and no injuries were reported.
“Both aircraft taxied to the terminal and have been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance teams,” the airline said, noting all passengers “will board replacement aircraft to continue their trips.”
