Two Planes Bump Wings at DCA, One With Several US Reps On Board

Two American Airlines aircraft on the ground at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) decided to give each other a high-five on April 10, forcing both planes to return to their gates. One of the jets had at least six Congressmen on board, drawing in more attention than the incident likely requires.

"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," stated Nick LaLota from Long Island.

The six US Representatives were on board an American Airlines Embraer E175 headed to Kennedy International Airport (JFK). They were stopped on the runway awaiting release when another regional American Airlines jet, departing for Charleston International Airport (CHS), taxied by a little too close.

The two planes clipped wings, luckily only causing minor damage to their winglets. Both aircraft were grounded and taken in for inspection and repairs.

US Congresswoman Grace Meng was on the E175, and though she didn’t see it happen, she said that she “felt some shaking” and watched as “a little piece fell off” the wing. She also noted that the other House members on board were three more New York Democrats, Gregory Meeks, Ritchie Torres, and Adriano Espaillat, as well as Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Nick LaLota from Long Island.

Several House members on board, and several more that weren’t, saw the opportunity to bring up the state of the US airspace and took it.

"We have said this over and over and hate having to say it again: when planes are taking off and landing every minute of the day, FAA funding is cut, air traffic controllers are fired, and current staff is spread thinner to cover more—that is when mistakes happen,” commented US Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

FMI: www.aa.com