“This is what happens when you gut public safety,” says Rep. Gottheimer after near-disaster at Reagan National.
A passenger jet carrying multiple U.S. lawmakers was struck by another aircraft Thursday morning while on the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — a chilling reminder of rising safety concerns following deep staffing cuts at the Federal Aviation Administration under former President Donald Trump.
There were no injuries, but the incident forced the plane to return to the gate, delaying a flight many assumed was heading to the New York City area.
Lawmakers on Board: “It Could’ve Been Worse”
Among those aboard were Democratic Reps. Grace Meng (NY), Gregory Meeks (NY), Adriano Espaillat (NY), Josh Gottheimer (NJ), and Ritchie Torres (NY), as well as Republican Rep. Nick LaLota (NY). The group was reportedly on a bipartisan trip — until the jolt on the runway brought it to a sudden halt.
“Just a reminder,” said Rep. Gottheimer shortly after the incident. “Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety. This is exactly the kind of danger we warned about.”
Rep. Meng, who handed out grapes to calm fellow passengers, echoed the concern. “I’m grateful no one was hurt today,” she posted on social media. “But this incident underscores the urgent need to restore every FAA job that keeps our runways safe.”
Trump-Era Cuts Loom Large
The incident comes amid growing criticism of the FAA’s staffing crisis — a direct consequence of budget-slashing policies reintroduced under Trump’s second term. In February, the administration eliminated 400 positions, including veteran safety inspectors and air traffic control coordinators.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy tried to downplay the move, stating the layoffs represented “less than 1% of the agency’s workforce.” But aviation experts warn the impact is far greater in practice.
“Cutting 400 people from a safety-first agency is not trimming fat — it’s slicing through bone,” said former FAA administrator Leslie Montoya, now with the Public Air Safety Alliance. “You’re seeing the consequences on the tarmac.”
A Pattern of Danger at Reagan National
This is just the latest in a string of frightening incidents at DCA:
- January: An American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter on approach. 67 people died.
- March: A Delta jet narrowly missed slamming into a U.S. Air Force plane moments after takeoff. Alarms blared in the cockpit.
- Now: A civilian jet carrying Congress members is physically struck on the ground.
“There’s a slow-moving disaster happening in U.S. aviation,” said Torres. “This morning, it hit my plane.”
A Shrinking Margin for Error
The FAA has faced increasing scrutiny for understaffed towers and delayed modernization efforts. The Reagan National control tower, once flagged as vulnerable, has yet to be fully restaffed despite bipartisan pressure in Congress.
“Serving in Congress has come with some once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” joked Rep. LaLota, the lone Republican aboard, in a post that included a photo of the wing. “Another plane just bumped into our wing.” But critics say the time for jokes has long passed.
“This isn’t just a scare,” said Rep. Espaillat. “It’s a warning — and we’re not listening.”
Bottom Line:
While no lives were lost today, lawmakers are ringing alarm bells — literally and figuratively. As the FAA fights to maintain safe skies with shrinking resources, the public is left asking: What’s it going to take for aviation safety to be taken seriously again?
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I wish the media would tell the whole story when they’re trying to make in my opinion Trump looked bad on gutting the FAA. I believe you wanted to get rid of the corrupt leadership in the FAA and those who are not doing your job. I believe that, but I don’t believe he wanted to interfere with the safety of air traffic control. I don’t believe that at all.
That’s not why even though you want us to think that. This happened before he took office. Sent from my iPhone
This incident had nothing to do with any Federal cuts.
So let’s see if we get this straight. These aircraft related accidents are somehow directly related to Trump’s staffing cuts? Even though the first noted incident happened days after he took office? Can you identify specifically what cuts the Trump administration has made to the air traffic controllers, which are the only federal employees. The pilots, navigators, and ground crews work directly for the specific airlines or the airports themselves which are then employees of the states or cities they are in and are NOT federal employees and so could not be part of Federal staffing cuts!!!! Please get your stories straight and report facts not political opinions! If you can point to staff cuts originating from the Trump administration that causes these incidents and I will be your biggest most outspoken supporter in this matter!!
Two military pilots involved in two of these. One was a DEI and not following proticall., the other would seam was not following the proper flight path. The third was a civilian air craft and most likely did not follow instruction. At any rate none where the fault or result of any cuts by Trump. Just because you have a serious case of TDS dose not make your statements honest.