American Airlines flight carrying US lawmakers ‘bumped’ by second plane on tarmac in DC

Fox News - Apr 10th, 2025
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On Thursday, several U.S. lawmakers were aboard an aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when another plane bumped into its wing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck American Airlines Flight 4522 while both were on a taxiway. Despite the collision, no injuries were reported, and both aircraft returned to their gates without affecting overall flight operations. Lawmakers, including Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Grace Meng, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, shared their accounts of the incident on social media, noting the safe outcome and the minor disruption caused.

This incident has highlighted concerns about aviation safety, with lawmakers pointing to recent cuts to the FAA as a potential risk to public safety. Rep. Meng emphasized the need to restore FAA jobs to maintain runway safety. The FAA announced an investigation into the incident, which involved a Bombardier CRJ 900 and an Embraer E175. The event underscores the importance of robust safety measures in aviation and prompts discussions about the allocation of resources in aviation oversight and management.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and accurate account of the incident involving two American Airlines planes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It effectively uses credible sources such as the FAA and includes perspectives from lawmakers who were directly involved. The story is timely and addresses public interest topics related to aviation safety. However, it could benefit from a broader range of sources and more detailed analysis of the implications of the incident and the claims about FAA staffing. While the article is well-written and engaging, it lacks depth in exploring the potential controversy surrounding aviation safety and government funding. Overall, the story is informative and accessible, but could be strengthened by providing more context and expert insights.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the incident involving two American Airlines planes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The details about the aircraft involved, the time of the incident, and the lack of injuries align well with the confirmed information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. However, claims about FAA staffing cuts affecting safety, as mentioned by Rep. Grace Meng and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, require further verification and context. These claims, while relevant, are not substantiated with direct evidence or additional sources in the article.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced account of the incident, including statements from multiple lawmakers across party lines, such as Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Grace Meng, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer. However, the story primarily focuses on the perspectives of the lawmakers involved, without including statements from other affected passengers or airline representatives. This could lead to a slight imbalance in the representation of perspectives, as the views of airline officials or aviation experts are not presented.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the incident details, reactions, and official statements. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, making the story easy to understand. The inclusion of direct quotes from lawmakers adds clarity to their perspectives. However, the article could benefit from a more detailed explanation of the implications of the incident and the investigation process.

6
Source quality

The story relies on credible sources such as the FAA and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority for factual details about the incident. However, it lacks a diverse range of sources, as it predominantly features statements from the lawmakers involved in the incident. Including insights from aviation experts or airline representatives could enhance the credibility and depth of the report.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing the sources of its information, such as the FAA and lawmakers' statements via social media. However, it does not provide detailed context or evidence for the claims about FAA staffing cuts impacting safety. Further transparency could be achieved by explaining the basis for these claims and any potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding the lawmakers' comments on FAA staffing.

Sources

  1. https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/two-american-airlines-planes-collide-at-reagan-washington-national-airport-93CH-3980037
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/us/american-airlines-jet-pulls-out-dc-landing-avoid-collision
  3. https://fox28savannah.com/news/nation-world/washington-dc-dca-reagan-national-airport-american-airlines-new-york-ny-congressional-members-flight-plane-incident-tarmac-passengers-injuries-bombardier-crj900-jfk-international-federal-aviation-administration
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/military-helicopter-crash-dc-airport
  5. https://6abc.com/post/wingtip-american-airlines-plane-hits-another-aircraft-carrying-several-us-congress-members-washington-airport/16153448/