WASHINGTON, D.C.: Two American Airlines regional jets collided while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday afternoon, prompting renewed scrutiny over aviation safety and the ongoing staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While no injuries were reported, both aircraft sustained visible damage and were taken out of service.
Collision on the Taxiway
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. when American Eagle Flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated by PSA Airlines en route to Charleston, South Carolina, struck the stationary wing of American Eagle Flight 4522, an Embraer E175 operated by Republic Airways bound for New York’s JFK Airport.
According to the FAA, both planes were maneuvering along the taxiway when the CRJ900 clipped the wing of the parked Embraer jet. The collision damaged the winglets — the upturned tips of the aircraft wings — of both aircraft.
Lawmakers Aboard One of the Flights
Flight 4522 was carrying several members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Grace Meng, Adriano Espaillat, Ritchie Torres, Gregory Meeks, Josh Gottheimer, and Nick LaLota. The lawmakers later took to social media and press briefings to express both concern and praise for the flight crews.
Rep. Gregory Meeks called the incident a “close call” and said it underscored the urgent need for increased investment in aviation oversight and safety systems. Rep. Grace Meng, speaking during a virtual briefing, said the professionalism of the crew was commendable but described the situation as a “preventable error” that should spark serious review.
Eyewitness Account
Passenger Greg Gilligan, also aboard Flight 4522, recalled the moment of impact:
“I saw the other plane taxiing fast, thinking it wouldn’t come so close — then suddenly, it struck our wing. It was a surreal moment — shocking and hard to believe.”
Both aircraft returned to the terminal after the incident. Passengers were rebooked on alternate flights, and the damaged planes were removed from service for further inspection.
Passenger and Crew Details
- Flight 5490: 76 passengers, 4 crew members
- Flight 4522: 67 passengers, 4 crew members
American Airlines issued a statement assuring that safety remains its top priority and confirmed full cooperation with the FAA investigation.
FAA Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a formal investigation into the incident. The agency said both flight data and cockpit voice recordings will be reviewed, and the exact sequence of events will be reconstructed.
This incident comes just two months after a devastating mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport, involving an American Eagle jet and a military Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. That tragedy had already reignited debates over the FAA’s staffing crisis and safety protocols.
Mounting Pressure on FAA
Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine reiterated their concerns following Thursday’s event.
“We’re 3,000 air traffic controllers short,” said Sen. Warner. “This is exactly the kind of incident that happens when aviation safety isn’t treated as a national priority.”
The FAA has acknowledged critical staffing gaps, especially in air traffic control towers and radar facilities. The agency is reportedly operating at 10-15% below ideal staffing levels, leading to increased workloads, delayed responses, and heightened risk during peak air traffic times.
Related Safety Concerns
Adding to the pressure, the FAA is also investigating a separate incident earlier this week at Dulles International Airport, where a Frontier Airlines flight had to be evacuated after a persistent beeping noise was heard from the cargo hold. While no threat was discovered, passengers and crew were evacuated as a precaution, further fueling concerns about airline safety oversight.
While it’s not yet clear whether Thursday’s collision or the Dulles incident were caused directly by staffing shortages or operational missteps, both are being viewed in the broader context of a strained aviation system.
Industry Reactions
Aviation safety experts say the Reagan National collision, though not resulting in casualties, is a stark reminder of the razor-thin margins airlines and airport authorities operate under.
“The fact that two planes can collide on the ground, in clear weather, at a major airport, suggests something is seriously amiss,” said an aviation analyst with the Air Transport Safety Institute.
Pilot unions have also weighed in, calling for a comprehensive review of ground operations protocols and better coordination between airport traffic controllers and ground crew teams.
Next Steps
The FAA has committed to a thorough investigation and will assess whether procedural lapses, communication breakdowns, or equipment failures contributed to the accident.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has reportedly requested an internal report on the Reagan National collision, including an assessment of ground operations safety protocols at major U.S. airports.
Meanwhile, lawmakers who were aboard Flight 4522 have said they plan to press for Congressional hearings into aviation safety standards and FAA staffing levels.
