American Airlines Planes Collide on D.C. Taxiway: No Injuries Reported

Washington, D.C. — In a minor yet concerning incident, two American Airlines jets made contact on a taxiway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, prompting an official investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew on either aircraft.

The collision occurred just before 1 p.m. as a plane preparing to depart for Charleston, South Carolina, clipped the wing of another American Airlines aircraft bound for New York City. According to the FAA, the New York-bound jet was stationary at the time of the incident.

U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota and Grace Meng were among the passengers aboard the New York flight. Rep. LaLota shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Serving in Congress comes with its fair share of unexpected moments. While stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane bumped into our wing. We’re heading back to the gate, but thankfully, everyone is okay.”

American Airlines confirmed that around 80 passengers were on board the Charleston flight, while 71 were on the New York flight. The airline reported that the damage was limited to the winglets of both aircraft. Both planes were taken out of service for inspection, and replacement aircraft were provided to transport the affected passengers.

“Safety remains our highest priority,” the airline said in a statement. “We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and are working to get everyone to their destinations as soon as possible.”

The incident adds to growing scrutiny around aviation safety, particularly at Reagan National Airport. Earlier this year, a devastating collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines jet at the same airport claimed 67 lives, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in nearly 25 years.

Greg Gilligan, a passenger on the New York-bound flight, recounted the moment of impact: “I saw the other plane speeding past us and then suddenly felt the jolt as it struck our wing,” he wrote via text message. “It was a surreal and unbelievable experience.”

The FAA is continuing its investigation, and aviation experts are urging stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents during ground operations.