Plane Carrying Members of Congress Clipped on Runway at Reagan Airport

In a moment that could have ended in disaster, a plane carrying multiple members of Congress was clipped by another aircraft while stationary on the runway at Reagan National Airport Thursday afternoon. Thankfully, no one was injured but the incident has sparked fresh concerns over America’s strained aviation safety systems.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck Flight 4522 around 12:45 p.m. as both aircraft were maneuvering on a taxiway. One was headed to Charleston, South Carolina. The other, which carried at least seven members of Congress, was en route to New York City.

According to Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), lawmakers onboard remained calm during the incident. “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 posted on X.

Democrat Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), also on board, later shared a lighthearted moment of handing out grapes to fellow passengers but quickly pivoted to a serious issue. “This incident underscores the urgent need to restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe,” she wrote.

That’s a point worth examining.

While the Biden administration has poured billions into DEI initiatives and electric buses, air travel safety one of the federal government’s most basic responsibilities has been pushed to the back burner. FAA staffing levels have dropped, air traffic controller shortages persist, and safety incidents are on the rise.

• A mid-air collision near Reagan Airport just months ago involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter left 67 people dead.

• FAA reports show a nearly 26% increase in runway incursions since 2021.

• In 2023, there were over 300 near-miss incidents in U.S. skies, many attributed to controller fatigue and understaffing.

Even after Thursday’s scare, American Airlines tried to downplay the event, calling the damage “limited” to the winglets. But when planes carrying U.S. lawmakers are involved in ground collisions at a major airport, it’s far past time to sound the alarm.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) confirmed that seven lawmakers were aboard, alongside dozens of other passengers. While crews inspected the damaged aircraft and passengers returned to the terminal, the incident should serve as more than just a passing headline.

This isn’t just about luck it’s about failing priorities. Americans deserve better than a government that’s more focused on climate summits than tarmac safety.

The next time this happens, we might not be so fortunate.

Get the facts out share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for more uncensored updates on travel safety, national security, and the issues the mainstream media won’t cover.