A United Airlines flight approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport encountered an unusual aerial obstacle during its descent.
According to Daily Mail, United Airlines flight 654 from Houston collided with a kite while attempting to land at the Virginia airport on Saturday, marking the latest in a series of concerning incidents at the facility.
The kite was flying approximately 100 feet above Gravely Point when it entered the aircraft's flight path. Police responded to reports of the prohibited kite activity in the area, which poses significant risks to low-flying aircraft. Though the plane landed safely with no reported injuries or damage, the incident has intensified scrutiny of air safety at Reagan National.
The kite collision follows several troubling events at the airport. On Friday, a Delta passenger flight had to be diverted to avoid potential collision with Air Force jets. Earlier in the week, two on-duty tower controllers engaged in a physical altercation that left blood spattered across a control console.
The airport has been under intense pressure since January's tragic crash between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives. The devastating incident occurred when only one controller was managing both helicopter and plane traffic due to staffing shortages.
An airport insider revealed the emotional toll the January crash has taken on staff. The source noted that controllers had to witness bodies being recovered from the Potomac River, with inadequate mental health support provided afterward.
The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation into January's fatal collision could take up to a year to complete. Their preliminary findings highlighted risks associated with commercial flights and helicopters operating in close proximity above the nation's capital.
Dailey Crafton, whose brother Casey died in the crash, has called for urgent action regarding the congested airspace near the airport. He emphasized that numerous near-misses preceded the tragic incident that took his brother's life.
President Donald Trump responded to January's collision by attributing it to diversity, equity and inclusion hiring practices within the Federal Aviation Administration. He subsequently issued a Presidential memo prohibiting the regulator from prioritizing DEI initiatives over competency.
United Airlines confirmed the kite strike in an official statement to media outlets:
We are aware of reports that a kite struck UA flight 654 from Houston to Reagan Airport in Washington DC. The aircraft landed safely, customers deplaned normally and upon inspection there was no damage to the aircraft.
Police seized the kite and returned it to its owner without filing charges. The incident occurred in an area where kite flying is explicitly prohibited due to obvious risks to aircraft safety.
The airport's control tower would typically have multiple controllers and a supervisor directing air traffic during such incidents. However, ongoing staffing challenges have strained the facility's ability to maintain optimal personnel levels.
The kite collision involving United Airlines flight 654 represents the latest in an alarming pattern of incidents at Reagan National Airport. The event occurred as the facility grapples with staffing shortages, leadership concerns, and heightened scrutiny following January's deadly helicopter crash. While this incident ended without injuries or damage, it underscores persistent questions about air traffic safety protocols and resource allocation at one of the nation's busiest airports. The FAA continues investigating recent events while facing pressure to address both immediate safety concerns and underlying systemic issues.
