Flights Resume At DC Airport After Plane From Memphis Has 'Blow Out' On Runway

ARLINGTON, VA — Flights have resumed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Saturday after two runways were closed for several hours due to a disabled aircraft, according to the airline and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

“American Eagle flight 4965, operated by Republic Airways, with service from Memphis to Reagan National Airport (DCA) experienced a mechanical issue upon landing at DCA," American Airlines said in a statement. "The flight landed safely and there were no reported injuries. All passengers were bused to the terminal.”

The pilot from flight 4965 told ABC7 News reporter Kevin Kuzminski the tires on the jet "were blown on the runway" and the emergency brake had to be used to halt the plane.

Seventy-one passengers and four crew members were on the plane at the time of the incident, according to the airline.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., flights were again departing from the airport, while the plane remained on the runway, according to an update on Twitter from WUSA reporter Kolbie Satterfield.

MWAA Fire and Rescue units responded around 4 p.m. to runway 1/19 at DCA after reports that the tires on American Airlines flight 4965 had "gone down" following a safe landing, according to an MWAA statement.

Air Traffic Control closed runways 1/19 and 15/33 at the airport, while crews worked to evaluate the situation. For several hours, the closure delayed flights leaving and arriving at the airport located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The FAA will investigate the circumstances surrounding flight AA 4965's mechanical issues, according to CBS News reporter Errol Barnett.

Passengers planning to travel to and from DCA are encouraged to contact their airline for updates and flight status.

Just in:

FAA to investigate flight AA4965 after the jet “blew several tires after landing” at DCA.

Originated in Memphis - no injuries reported.@CBSNews pic.twitter.com/Yp8AzIWNWz
— errol barnett • cbs (@errolbarnett) October 16, 2021

Passengers flying to or from Reagan National (DCA) this afternoon should check directly with their airline on the status of their flight prior to coming to the airport, as a disabled aircraft has temporarily disrupted air traffic.
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) October 16, 2021

RIGHT NOW: Two main runways at Washington Reagan National Airport are CLOSED after an arriving Republic Airways regional flight had a “mechanical issue upon landing,” American Airlines says. 69 on board. No injuries.

FAA NOTAM: disabled aircraft on Rwy 1, 1/19 and 15/33 closed.
— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) October 16, 2021