NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A plane bound for New York City was clipped in the wing by another aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday afternoon.
American Airlines Flight 4522—headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport—was on the taxiway at about 12:45 p.m. when American Airlines Flight 5490 struck it, the FAA said.
New York Reps. Grace Meng and Nick LaLota were both on the flight along with New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer. All three representatives posted about the incident on social media.
“Hi everyone, I’m OK, everyone on the flight is OK, they’re fixing the wing now. Everyone’s safe. Thanks,” Meng said in a short video, featuring the clipped plane in the background.
Meng was also handing out grapes to travelers, according to LaLota, who posted that “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!”
Gottheimer, like his colleagues, said he was grateful that everyone was safe, but used the opportunity to make a policy point.
“Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety,” he wrote.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
Not far from DCA on Jan, 29, an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed mid-air, resulting in 67 fatalities