On Thursday, Reagan International Airport was the site of another unsettling incident when a taxiing jet collided with a parked plane on the runway.
The crash involved several members of Congress who were on board at the time.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but the event has raised fresh concerns over air traffic safety at the busy airport.
Congress Members Share Their Experiences
Among those on the planes was New York Congressman Nick LaLota, who took to social media to share his experience.
He posted a message on X, reassuring followers that everyone on his flight was safe. “Another plane just bumped into our wing.
Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok!” LaLota wrote, sharing an image of the view from his window.
He also mentioned that fellow Congresswoman Grace Meng kept the passengers entertained by “handing out grapes” during their delay.
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, also involved in the incident, used the opportunity to criticize President Trump’s federal budget cuts, which he believes have weakened the safety of U.S. air travel.
“While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing.
Thankfully, everyone is safe,” he wrote. “Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.”
No Injuries Reported, but Serious Concerns Remain
Despite the close call, there have been no early reports of injuries from the crash.
However, the incident is adding to the growing list of issues at Reagan International Airport.
This comes just months after the airport was involved in the worst air traffic disaster in recent U.S. history.
In that tragic event, an American Airlines plane collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board.
A History of Safety Concerns at Reagan International
The crash at Reagan is not an isolated incident. The airport has been plagued with safety issues over the past several months.
Just weeks after the fatal crash, another passenger jet had to abort a landing to avoid another collision on the runway.
These recurring problems have led to increased scrutiny of the airport’s air traffic control operations.
A Disturbing Incident in the Control Tower
Adding to the concerns, DailyMail.com reported last month that tensions in the control tower escalated into a violent altercation.
Two on-duty air traffic controllers were involved in a physical fight, which ended with one controller throwing a punch at the other.
The brawl was so intense that blood was reportedly left splattered across a control console.
This incident has raised alarms about the professionalism and mental state of those responsible for air traffic safety at Reagan.
As the investigation into these incidents continues, questions remain about the safety of one of the nation’s busiest airports and its ability to prevent further mishaps.