No injuries reported following minor collision at Ronald Reagan Airport
A minor runway collision occurred at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport when an American Airlines plane carrying at least three members of Congress clipped another American Airlines aircraft with its wingtip, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed today, according to Reuters.
Flight 5490, an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ 900 bound for Charleston, South Carolina, struck Flight 4522, an Embraer E175 headed to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, around 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time (6:45 p.m. Central European Time).
There are no reports of injuries.
Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, stated on social media that he was aboard the New York-bound flight when the incident occurred while waiting for takeoff.
The latest mishap is expected to intensify scrutiny over air traffic operations at Ronald Reagan Airport, which handles the busiest runway in the United States, Reuters notes.
The FAA has launched an investigation.
American Airlines reported that both aircraft returned to the terminal and were removed from service for maintenance inspection. Damage was limited to the wing of each plane.
Passengers were rebooked on replacement aircraft to continue their journeys. Flight 5490 carried 76 passengers and four crew members, while Flight 4522 had 67 passengers and four crew members onboard.
Operations at Ronald Reagan Airport have faced increased scrutiny since a fatal crash on January 29, when an American Airlines regional jet collided with a military helicopter, killing 67 people. Following that tragedy, the FAA imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter traffic near the airport.
This week, the FAA announced the installation of a new management team to oversee air traffic control at Ronald Reagan. Senators have recently pressed the agency about thousands of reports concerning helicopters operating dangerously close to planes near the airport.
Last week, the FAA said it may slow incoming flights into Ronald Reagan following recent collisions. The agency is also increasing the number of operational supervisors from six to eight, and a stress management team will visit the airport to offer confidential support to staff.
Concerns about safety at the airport have been mounting. On March 28, a near-collision was reported between a Delta Airlines jet and a group of U.S. Air Force planes approaching Arlington National Cemetery. That incident raised further questions about air traffic control decisions, Reuters reports.
Additionally, last month, a fight broke out in the airport’s control tower, resulting in one employee’s arrest and suspension, according to the FAA.
