Local members of Congress on NYC-bound flight that clipped wings with another plane at DCA
American Airlines said there are no reports of any injuries.
WASHINGTON (WABC) -- Several local members of Congress were on a New York City-bound plane that was struck on the wing by another plane in Washington D.C. on Thursday afternoon.
It happened on the taxiway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport around 12:45 p.m.
Six members of Congress from both New York and New Jersey were on the American Airlines flight headed to JFK International Airport.
The FAA said the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 bound for Charleston struck the New York-bound American Airlines Flight 4522.
Many of the local House members posted statements about the incident on X, with some calling attention to cuts to the FAA:
Nick LaLota, R-NY: 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! (And @RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)
"We got bumped on our right wing -- it was a loud sound," LaLota told ABC News Live.
Grace Meng, D-NY: 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 restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe.
"The staff and crew were very professional and kept everything orderly and safe," Meng said. "I didn't get to see to the other plane. Some other passengers said they saw it, and they had to flip the plane, and a little piece fell off."
Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ: 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.
"The plane shook violently," Gottheimer said. "It was pretty clear that we got hit. The pilot came on and told us we weren't going anywhere except back to the gate. We then waited about 45 minutes or so before they could move us."
He called the incident unacceptable.
Ritchie Torres, D-NY: I was just on a grounded plane that was struck by another aircraft. Thankfully, no one was injured-just the inconvenience of a delayed departure. The Bronx: I'm coming home... eventually!
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY: 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. Adriano Espaillat, D-NY: This afternoon, several members of Congress, including myself and other passengers, were involved in a minor incident where our plane clipped wings with another aircraft while taxiing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Aviation mishaps are at an all-time high, and the Trump administration's reckless decision to fire FAA control staff has put us all in danger. We are thankful that no one was injured and that a catastrophe was avoided.
American Airlines said there are no reports of any injuries.
"American Eagle Flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle Flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways," American Airlines said in a statement. "Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience."
Both aircraft taxied to the terminal and have been taken out of service to be inspected. American Airlines said the damage was limited to a winglet on each aircraft.
American Airlines said Flight 5490 headed to Charleston had 76 customers and four crew members, while Flight 4522 to New York had 67 customers and four crew members.
The airline said customers will board replacement aircraft to continue their trips.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said the incident did not affect operations at the airport, where a mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter earlier this year killed everyone onboard both aircraft.
The FAA said it's investigating.
The incident comes just three months after a deadly midair collision at the same airport, involving the same airline, which killed 67 people.
ALSO READ: Exclusive: Grandmother stranded with parrot in Puerto Rico back home in New York City
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
