United flight from Houston appeared to hit a kite while landing at D.C. airport

A United Airlines flight from Houston had a close encounter with a kite while landing at Washington Reagan National Airport on Saturday. The pilots reported the kite flying over Gravelly Point, a park near the runway along the Potomac River on the Virginia side. Flying kites in this area is prohibited due to the danger posed to landing aircraft.

Flight 654, a Boeing 737, landed safely with 126 passengers and five crew members on board around 4 p.m. EDT. Despite the incident, there was no damage to the aircraft, and all passengers were able to deplane normally.

Witnesses at the park also observed the United flight making contact with the kite. Dylan Oakes, a producer at a local news station and former flight attendant, described seeing the plane come into contact with the kite as it flew over the park. The Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority Police responded to the scene and confiscated the kite.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority released a statement noting that kite-flying is not permitted in the area due to the danger it poses to low-flying aircraft. No charges were filed, and the kite was returned to its owner.

This incident follows a recent close call involving a Delta flight and a military aircraft. It also comes after a tragic midair collision at the D.C. airport in January that claimed 67 lives. In response to the safety concerns raised by the National Transportation Safety Board, several recommendations have been made to address the risks at Reagan National Airport.

As aviation authorities continue to address safety concerns at the airport, incidents like the kite collision serve as a reminder of the importance of following regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety of all passengers and aircraft.