United Airlines B737 hits kite while landing at Washington-Reagan Airport  

A United Airlines Boeing 737 had a lucky escape after it struck a kite on its final approach to Washington-Reagan Airport (DCA) in the US capital. While there were no injuries caused to anyone onboard the commercial flight which landed safely, the incident has raised further questions regarding aviation safety protocols around the downtown airport, which comes just 24 hours after another flight narrowly missed a US Air Force jet while departing the airport.

The incident involving the United Airlines aircraft and a kite occurred on Saturday, March 29, 2025, according to reports. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-700 registered as N24736 which was just completing a routine scheduled passenger flight from Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and was preparing to land on runway 19 at the airport.

Witnesses at Gravelly Point, a popular public park and open space located just north of the threshold to runway 19 at Washington-Reagan Airport, reported seeing the inbound aircraft strike the kite as it was on short finals for landing on the runway. According to eyewitness reports, the kite struck the plane between its fuselage and an engine during the aircraft’s final stage of flight. Despite the midair collision, the flight landed safely, with all passengers and crew being disembarked as usual, seemingly unaware of the collision.

Google Earth“The aircraft was inspected after landing and found to have no damage,” reported United Airlines in a statement issued after the event. “We’re grateful for the crew’s professionalism in ensuring a safe arrival,” the airline added.

According to local reports, a single individual was flying the kite in Gravelly Park where, due to the proximity of the airport, such airborne activities are banned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As can be seen from the map. Below, aircraft arriving on runway 19 pass directly overhead the park, which site just several hundred feet from the runway threshold.

Local media reports state that police officers from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) were dispatched to attend the Park and investigate the incident. The kite flyer was one of two who were actively flying their kites while enjoying the spring weather in the Park on the day of the incident. Aircraft pass over Gravelly Park at less than 200 feet (60 meters) as they come into land.

Bill Chizek / ShutterstockThe officers were seen to confiscate the kite but subsequently returned it to its owner without pressing criminal charges. Authorities took to social media to remind the public that kite-flying near airports poses serious risks to aviation safety and is prohibited at Gravelly Park in Wahington DC at all times and in any event.

While aviation experts say aircraft colliding with kites pose minimal threat to flight safety, such incidents should be avoided at all costs. The FAA has said it may review its guidance on such matters in light of this recent event.   

Acroterion / Wikimedia CommonsMore concerns at DCA

This latest incident just adds to ongoing concerns about wider safety concerns surrounding Washington-Reagan Airport in recent months. In January 2025, an American Eagle Canadair CRJ regional jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River just yards from Gravelly Park resulting in the loss of both aircraft plus 67 lives. Amid other near misses and other such incidents that have come to light at the airport since that event, on March 28, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 narrowly avoided a midair collision with at least one US Air Force T-38 jet close to the airport boundary.

Delta Flight 2983 bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), was departing Runway 19 around 15:15 local time when the crew received an onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alert indicating nearby aircraft proximity. The alert came as four US Air Force T-38 Talon jets were flying north along the Potomac River for a planned ceremonial flyover of nearby Arlington National Cemetery.

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