United Airlines Flight 654 Hit by Kite Near DCA – No Damage

Post by: Bandan Preet

Photo: Instagram/@united

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, a kite hit United Airlines Flight 654 as it was landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The plane, which took off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, was getting ready to land when the kite struck between the engine and the fuselage.

No Damage to the Plane

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-700, landed safely at 4:17 PM, about 19 minutes late. After landing, the plane was inspected, and no damage was found. All passengers got off the plane as usual without any issues.

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Authorities Confiscate the Kite

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police quickly responded. They took the kite from Gravelly Point, a park near the airport’s main runway. Kite flying is banned in this area because planes fly very low when approaching the airport.

Witnesses, including travel expert Jamie Larounis, said they saw several kites in the air before the collision. Larounis explained that the kite that hit the plane flew unusually high, crossing into the plane’s path.

Police arrived with flashing lights, questioned a family of three involved with the kite, and gave them a warning. However, they were not fined. The kite was later returned to the family.

Gravelly Point: A No-Fly Zone for Kites

Gravelly Point, managed by the National Park Service, is a popular spot where people watch planes take off and land. However, because of its location near the runway, flying kites, drones, or any airborne object is illegal there.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has strict rules that ban kites from flying higher than 500 feet near airports unless permission is given and pilots are notified. No such permission was granted on March 29, meaning the kite flying broke the rules.

Not Linked to the Blossom Kite Festival

The incident happened on the same day as the Blossom Kite Festival held across the Potomac River at the National Mall. However, festival organizers confirmed that the kite involved had no connection to their event.

Aviation Safety Concerns

This incident comes at a time when people are worried about air safety. Earlier this year, on January 29, an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport. Sadly, 67 people died in the crash.

Because of such accidents, authorities are being more strict about following FAA rules to keep the skies safe.

Officials have once again reminded the public that Gravelly Point is off-limits for kites, drones, and anything else that could pose a risk to planes.

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