Several U.S. representatives were involved in a dramatic close call at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. when their flight was clipped by another aircraft. The incident occurred on a taxiway, just as the plane was preparing to depart for New York.

The Incident Details

• Flight 4522, an American Airlines plane, was struck by the wingtip of another plane headed to Charleston, South Carolina. • The collision occurred near the site of a deadly crash in January that killed 67 people. • Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although the incident did cause a brief delay in operations.

The Representatives Involved

• Bronx U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat
• Queens U.S. Grace Meng and Gregory Meeks
• New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer
• Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota
These representatives were on their way home for the congressional Easter and Passover recess when the incident occurred.

The Reaction of the Representatives

• Rep. Torres posted on X, formerly Twitter, reassuring his constituents that he was safe and still on his way home. • Rep. Espaillat used the incident to criticize the Trump administration’s decision to lay off hundreds of FAA workers earlier this year. Torres emphasized the dangers of federal workforce cuts, stating that the Trump administration’s systematic decimation of the FAA is not an abstraction, but has real-world consequences for aviation safety.

The Administration’s Response

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority reported that operations were briefly delayed following the collision. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations.

The Importance of Aviation Safety

• The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations. • The Trump administration’s decision to lay off hundreds of FAA workers earlier this year has been widely criticized. • The Federal Aviation Administration plays a critical role in maintaining aviation safety, and any actions that compromise this role should be taken seriously.

The Representatives’ Comments

• Rep. Torres: “The Trump administration’s systematic decimation of the FAA is not an abstraction. It has real-world consequences for aviation safety.”
• Rep. Espaillat: “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.”

Quotes

• “I was just on a grounded plane that was struck by another aircraft,” said Rep. Torres. • “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,” said Rep. Espaillat.

Highlights

• The incident occurred on a taxiway, just as the plane was preparing to depart for New York. • No injuries were reported, although the incident caused a brief delay in operations. • The representatives involved were on their way home for the congressional Easter and Passover recess.

Definitions

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• A path used for transporting vehicles within an airport, typically located outside the terminal area. •

• Federal Aviation Administration, the agency responsible for regulating and overseeing aviation safety in the United States. •

• A break or pause in a legislative session, often used for rest or travel.

Consequences

• The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations.

Airport Operations

• The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority reported that operations were briefly delayed following the collision.

The Future of Aviation

• The incident raises questions about the future of aviation safety and the role of the Federal Aviation Administration. • The Trump administration’s decision to lay off hundreds of FAA workers earlier this year has been widely criticized, and its impact on aviation safety is still being felt. • The importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations cannot be overstated.