Two American Airlines planes collided on a taxiway at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport on Thursday afternoon, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident involved Flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ 900 heading to Charleston, South Carolina, and Flight 4522, an Embraer E175 bound for New York’s JFK Airport.
The CRJ 900’s wingtip struck the other aircraft while taxiing. At least three members of Congress were aboard, including Representatives Nick LaLota, Grace Meng, and Josh Gottheimer, but no injuries were reported. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred just three months after a deadly crash near the same airport.
Planes Collide but No Injuries Reported
The collision occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET (1645 GMT) as the CRJ 900’s wingtip made contact with the Embraer E175 while both planes were stationary or moving slowly on the taxiway. Passengers, including members of Congress, remained calm during the incident.
LaLota described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” and praised Meng for lightening the mood by distributing grapes to passengers. Both flights returned to the gate for inspection, and operations resumed shortly after.
The damage was confined to the winglets of both aircraft. The swift response by airport staff and crew ensured that the incident did not cause significant disruptions to airport operations.
Context and Recent Incidents
The FAA has launched an investigation into the collision to determine the cause and ensure safety protocols were followed. This incident comes after a deadly crash in January involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport, which resulted in 67 fatalities.
The recent incident is expected to heighten scrutiny regarding air traffic management at the airport, which features the busiest runway in the U.S..
American Airlines confirmed that both planes were removed from service for maintenance inspections, and passengers were accommodated on alternative flights. The investigation will focus on whether human error, technical issues, or procedural lapses contributed to the collision.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While this incident ended without injuries, it serves as a reminder of the critical need for stringent safety measures in aviation. The presence of lawmakers highlights how such events can touch all walks of life. We commend the calmness displayed by passengers and crew during this situation and urge authorities to thoroughly investigate and address any lapses.
It is essential for airports to implement advanced safety technologies and rigorous training programs to prevent similar incidents. What steps do you think airports should take to prevent such incidents in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
🇺🇸 2 PLANES COLLIDE AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT—WITH 5 HOUSE REPS ONBOARD
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexkennedyIran) April 10, 2025
Just two months after a fatal midair collision, Reagan National turned into bumper cars for jets.
An American Eagle plane packed with House reps got clipped on the taxiway by—wait for it—another American… pic.twitter.com/B1GDhtYRit
