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Kite Incident Involving United Airlines Flight at Reagan National Airport
A United Airlines flight reportedly encountered a kite while preparing to land at Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Saturday afternoon, as confirmed by the airline in a statement.
The airline’s statement indicated, “We are aware of reports that a kite struck UA flight 654 from Houston to Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. The aircraft landed safely, customers deplaned normally and upon inspection there was no damage to the aircraft.”
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) also addressed the situation, noting that police had responded to reports of kite-flying at Gravely Point, an area where such activities are prohibited due to their potential hazard to low-flying aircraft.
Potential Safety Concerns
Gravelly Point is situated in Arlington, Virginia, just north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and adjacent to the George Washington Parkway. The park is only a few hundred feet from the DCA runway, as highlighted on the park’s website.
In their statement, the MWAA confirmed that law enforcement officers had warned individuals about kite-flying in the area and briefly confiscated one kite. This kite was later returned to its owner without any charges being filed.
Official Investigations and Pilot Insights
The MWAA also stated that they could not ascertain whether the kite had indeed made contact with the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that they had not received any official reports regarding the incident.
Captain Robert Katz, a seasoned pilot with over four decades of experience, expressed skepticism about the possibility of the kite hitting the aircraft. He remarked, “If the kite had actually made contact with the airplane, we would know it. The kite would have been destroyed and possibly the airplane as well, although not likely.”
Katz characterized the act of flying a kite in that area as “incredibly irresponsible,” emphasizing that it poses significant risks to aviation safety.
He further noted that although he has never encountered a kite striking a plane in his long career, he often sees ground interference with flights, particularly from individuals using lasers.
Recent Aviation Incidents
This kite incident follows a near-collision event involving a Delta Air Lines flight and a U.S. Air Force jet near DCA, raising ongoing safety concerns in the vicinity of the airport.
On March 28, Delta Flight 2983 was approaching Minneapolis-St. Paul when it came close to four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons. The FAA affirmed that the Delta aircraft received alerts regarding the proximity of another plane, prompting air traffic controllers to issue instructions to both flights.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has acknowledged a “loss of separation” issue with the Delta flight shortly after its departure from DCA, although they are still in the information-gathering phase and have not launched a formal investigation.
This unsettling incident follows a tragic accident on January 29, where a collision occurred involving an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Reagan National Airport, resulting in the loss of all 67 individuals on board, including civilians and service members.
As these events unfold, they reflect the pressing need for stringent safety measures to protect both aircraft and their passengers from ground-based hazards.
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