A Kite Collides with a United Airlines Flight Near Washington D.C.

A United flight landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport encountered a surprising obstacle on Saturday afternoon — a kite. The incident occurred as United Flight 654 was making its descent around 4 p.m. Fortunately, no damage was reported, and the aircraft landed safely.

The airline confirmed its awareness of the kite collision, stating, ‘Customers deplaned normally, and, upon inspection, there was no damage to the aircraft.’ The flight was traveling from Houston to Washington, D.C.

The kite, being flown by a group at Gravelly Point near the airport, was briefly confiscated by the police. Due to its proximity to the runway, kite flying is prohibited in that area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department.

Witness Jamie Larounis, who was present at the park, described seeing the kite rise higher into the air as at least ten others participated in the activity that afternoon. Moments later, it collided with the aircraft.

Larounis reported, ‘I called the airport police after I saw the kite get closer to the United flight. When it hit the plane, I knew I had to alert the authorities.’

According to reports, the kite made contact with the plane near an engine and the fuselage before it was seen again on the ground with a family. Airport police arrived promptly, interviewed the family, and took possession of the kite. No charges were filed, and the kite was returned shortly after.

The Federal Aviation Administration has strict regulations against flying kites near airports and typically prohibits them at heights above 500 feet. However, there were no notices issued on the day of the incident for the vicinity around Reagan National.

This incident occurred shortly after another aviation crisis, where a plane crashed into a house in Minneapolis, raising further safety concerns about recent aviation events. These include a notable near-miss between a commercial flight and a military jet in the previous days.

As air travel continues to see disruptions, incidents like these underscore the importance of adhering to safety regulations.