Overview

• United Airlines Flight 654 from Houston safely landed at Reagan National Airport after striking a kite during its approach on Saturday afternoon.
• The kite, flown from Gravelly Point where such activity is prohibited, was confiscated by airport police and later returned to its owners without charges filed.
• Federal regulations ban kite flying near airports and above 500 feet due to the risks posed to low-flying aircraft during critical flight phases.
• Witnesses reported the kite flying unusually high and striking the plane between the engine and fuselage, raising concerns about potential engine damage risks.
• The incident follows a series of recent safety issues at Reagan National, including a fatal collision in January and a near-miss involving a Delta flight just one day earlier.