Planes bump wings on the ground at Washington’s Reagan National Airport

CNN - Apr 10th, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to investigate an incident where two American Airlines regional jets made contact on the taxiway at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. The wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490, which was heading to Charleston, South Carolina, struck American Airlines Flight 4522, bound for JFK International Airport. This occurred around 12:45 p.m. No injuries were reported, and both aircraft returned to their gates. Passengers, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Nick LaLota, shared their experiences on social media, with LaLota mentioning a lighthearted moment when Rep. Grace Meng distributed grapes to fellow passengers. Despite the collision, the airport reported no disruption to flight operations.

The incident adds to a series of recent concerning events at Reagan National Airport, including a mid-air collision in January and a military flyover that posed risks to departing planes. The FAA and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are expected to provide further comments. This developing story underscores ongoing safety challenges and operational pressures at the airport, raising questions about air traffic management and safety protocols in one of the nation's busiest airspaces.

Flight Safety American Airlines Federal Aviation Administration Josh Gottheimer Ronald Reagan National Airport Nick La Lota Grace Meng Airplane Collision

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a largely accurate and timely account of an incident involving two American Airlines regional jets at a major airport, with credible sources and clear reporting. The involvement of congressional representatives adds to its public interest and engagement potential. However, the story could benefit from more balanced perspectives and expert analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the incident's implications. The mention of unrelated past incidents could be better clarified to avoid confusion. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about the event, while leaving room for further exploration and updates.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the incident of two American Airlines regional jets bumping wings at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport, which is confirmed by the FAA and other sources. The flight numbers, destinations, and the involvement of congressional representatives are correctly detailed. However, the mention of a mid-air collision in January that resulted in fatalities is misleading, as the incident was separate and involved different circumstances. This could lead to confusion about the safety record of the airport. Overall, the story is largely factual, but the inclusion of unrelated incidents could have been better clarified.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the incident involving the planes and includes perspectives from passengers, including congressional representatives. However, it lacks viewpoints from the airline or airport authorities beyond the official statements. The inclusion of more diverse perspectives, such as from aviation experts or other passengers, could provide a more balanced view of the incident's implications and context.

Clarity

The story is well-structured and easy to follow, with a clear timeline of events and quotes from relevant individuals. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of unrelated past incidents could be confusing to some readers, and a clearer distinction between the current and past events would improve overall clarity.

Source quality

The article cites reputable sources such as the FAA and statements from involved parties, including congressional representatives. These sources are credible and relevant to the incident. However, the story could benefit from additional expert analysis or commentary to enhance the depth of understanding regarding the incident's significance and potential safety implications.

Transparency

The article provides clear attributions to the FAA and statements from involved representatives, which adds to its transparency. However, it does not delve into the methodology of how the incident was reported or investigated. More information on how the facts were gathered or verified would enhance transparency and reader trust.