Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Kite Suspected in Contact with Passenger Jet Near Reagan Airport
A United Airlines passenger jet reportedly encountered a kite while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Saturday afternoon, prompting an investigation. The airline confirmed awareness of reports indicating a kite strike on United Flight 654 during its approach from Houston, though the aircraft landed without incident.
Flight Lands Safely, No Damage Reported
“Passengers deplaned normally,” the airline stated in a release, adding that a subsequent inspection revealed “no damage to the aircraft.”
Police Confiscate Kite at Gravelly Point
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, responsible for policing Reagan National and Dulles International Airport, stated that a kite was “briefly confiscated” from an individual at Gravelly Point. The action was taken because the kite was being flown within restricted airspace.
Authorities emphasized, “Kite-flying is prohibited at Gravelly Point due to low-flying aircraft landing at DCA,” in an official statement.
Witness Describes Kite Ascending Before Apparent Contact
Jamie Larounis, a travel analyst present at Gravelly Point on Saturday, recounted witnessing the kite incident. He explained that he was among several hundred people at the park enjoying the spring weather when he observed a kite strike an aircraft and subsequently alerted airport police.
Larounis noted the presence of approximately ten kites aloft in the park area situated just north of Reagan National’s primary runway, coinciding with planes on their landing approach from the north.
He detailed that, for reasons yet to be determined, “One kite got progressively higher.”
According to Larounis, he observed the approaching United flight and witnessed the kite make contact with the aircraft between an engine and the fuselage.
He described the kite’s immediate descent, followed by its brief reappearance in the air before it was observed on the ground, entangled and gathered by a family.
Police Respond, Issue Warning
Airport police arrived with emergency lights and sirens activated. Officers interviewed the family – two adults and a child – and took possession of the kite, according to Larounis.
“That kite was returned to its owner shortly later, and no charges were filed,” stated Emily McGee, spokesperson for the airport police department.
McGee indicated in a statement that officers cautioned park visitors regarding the prohibition of kite flying at Gravelly Point.
Gravelly Point and Regulations
Gravelly Point, part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and managed by the National Park Service, is situated across the Potomac River from the National Mall. The National Mall was hosting the Blossom Kite Festival on Saturday as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, according to airport police.
A festival spokesperson clarified that their event was unrelated to activities at Gravelly Point.
Flight Delay and FAA Regulations
United Flight 654 departed George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at 11:59 a.m. and arrived at Reagan National at 4:17 p.m., approximately 19 minutes behind schedule, as reported by flight tracker FlightAware.
Federal regulations stipulate prohibitions on kite flying in proximity to airports and establish a maximum altitude of 500 feet for kite flying. Special authorization requires a notice to pilots, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No such notices for kite-flying were found in the FAA database for Saturday in the vicinity of Reagan National.
Incident Follows Recent Aviation Concerns
This incident occurs amidst heightened concern regarding aviation safety, following several recent aviation incidents and near-misses. This includes the January 29 collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan National, a tragic event resulting in fatalities.