- Wingtip collision between two American Airlines planes at Reagan National Airport (DCA)
- FAA investigating second major safety incident at DCA in 2024
- 151 passengers safely transferred following emergency protocols
- Congressional representatives document near-miss during taxiway operation
- Both aircraft grounded for structural inspections
Two American Airlines jets made contact during Thursday afternoon taxi operations at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, marking the second major aviation safety event at this facility in six months. The Charleston-bound Boeing 737-800 struck a stationary New York-bound aircraft carrying Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Grace Meng (D-NY), with impact limited to composite winglets. Aviation authorities confirmed no fuel leaks or structural compromises occurred during the 12:55 PM incident.
Passenger Greg Gilligan described the surreal moment of impact: We watched this plane accelerate past us before feeling the jolt. It defied logic – like seeing a car sideswipe you while parked. The collision occurred despite clear visibility and dry runway conditions, raising questions about taxiway coordination protocols. American Airlines immediately activated its emergency response team, rebooking all affected travelers on alternative flights within four hours.
This incident follows January’s fatal collision between an American Eagle regional jet and military helicopter at DCA – the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. Aviation safety analyst Dr. Marissa Torres noted: While wingtip strikes account for only 3% of ground incidents, their frequency has increased 18% year-over-year at high-density airports. Her research highlights aging ground radar systems at 14 major U.S. hubs as contributing factors.
The airline industry faces renewed scrutiny following three near-miss events at U.S. airports this month alone. Modernization efforts now prioritize AI-powered taxiway management systems, with Delta recently implementing predictive collision alerts at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. However, FAA records show only 22% of commercial fleets currently utilize real-time wingtip monitoring technology.
Regional infrastructure limitations compound these challenges. DCA’s 6,869-foot main runway ranks as the shortest among top-30 U.S. airports, requiring precise weight calculations and rapid taxi clearance. Aviation Week’s 2023 Airport Efficiency Index ranked Reagan National 48th nationally for ground movement safety – below comparable facilities in Chicago and San Francisco.
American Airlines confirmed both aircraft underwent full wing spar inspections using portable phased array ultrasound systems. The carrier’s maintenance teams followed updated FAA protocols implemented after 2019’s Miami tail strike incident, which now mandate composite damage assessments within 90 minutes of impact events. Passengers received $500 travel vouchers and priority rebooking status – compensation 37% higher than industry standard for similar delays.
