(The Center Square) – Although no injuries were reported when two passenger planes clipped each other on the tarmac at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), the incident jolted several members of Congress on board at the time.
American Airlines confirmed that one of its planes headed to Charleston, S.C. “struck” another American Airlines plane “on a taxiway” Thursday afternoon. The struck American Airlines plane was headed to JFK International Airport in New York, with several congressmen on board, who were quick to pounce on the opportunity to politicize the incident.
The runway clipping comes a couple of months after a deadly air collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River that claimed the lives of 67 people.
Some Democratic members on board used the incident to criticize the Trump administration’s recent government cuts, highlighting the need to increase funding at the Federal Aviation Administration.
“I am safe after another plane clipped our wing while on the runway at DCA. This close call underscores the urgent need for more FAA funding – people’s lives are at stake. Cuts and firing FAA employees are not the answer. Seven members of Congress were on board along with dozens of other concerned passengers,” Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., posted on X.
“Glad my colleagues and I are okay! We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks. 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,” Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., posted on X.
“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,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., posted on X.
Meanwhile, Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., appeared to make light of the incident, expressing relief that no one was injured.
“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!” LaLota posted on X.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy reacted to the Democratic lawmakers’ posts by defending the administration’s restructuring of the federal government, claiming that no “critical positions” were cut at the FAA.
“Glad to hear everyone on board is safe. But stop the fear mongering and let’s stick to the facts. No safety-critical positions at the FAA have been cut. I look forward to your support for [President Trump’s] plan to build an all new, state of the art air traffic control system,” Duffy posted on X.
Virginia’s Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner released a joint statement, calling for a “full investigation.” The pair underscored concerns over the airport being overburdened and funding cuts.
The lawmakers have long opposed expanding the perimeter rule, citing congestion, delays and safety concerns – even prior to January’s tragic collision.
“Thank God no one was hurt this time. We need a full investigation into this incident as soon as possible. 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. The traveling public deserves actions,” according to Kaine and Warner.
According to the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, DCA has the busiest runway in the country despite being centered in one of the most regulated airspaces.
“Because of the short length of its runways, over 90 percent of DCA’s flights use its main runway, making it the busiest runway in America with over 800 daily takeoffs and landings, which is a takeoff or landing every minute during most of the day. Making the nation’s busiest runway even busier is a bad idea,” according to the authority.
In response to the latest incident, the FAA vows a complete investigation.
