NATION

Flight Delays Continue Amid Chaos After Collision in Washington DC

In Desk

Feb 2, 2025 • 1 min read

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The aftermath of the devastating collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday has left many travelers stranded at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

According to Dr. Jamal Stroud, Executive Director of the nonprofit Big Homie Lil Homie in Columbia, his group arrived in DC on Wednesday morning for a national mentorship summit but were shocked when they discovered that their flights would be delayed due to the incident.

"We didn't budget for this and really want to go home," Dr. Stroud said, expressing frustration at the situation. "This is a nightmare."

The group had plans to catch their flight on Friday morning, but after realizing the delays, they sent out a mass email to parents informing them that their event, including a parent-child dance scheduled for Saturday afternoon, would be rescheduled.

Dr. Stroud and his group soon split from the airport, with some deciding to look for alternative ways to return home. The delays have now entered their second day, leaving Dr. Stroud waiting at the airport as of 3 p.m. on February 1st, unsure if he will be able to fly out that day.

"It's a tough time; a tough pill to swallow," Dr. Stroud reflected, attributing the delay to the fear and uncertainty surrounding the incident. "With this national news of a tragedy that happened, possibly I'm guessing flight attendants or just the staff are just afraid or fearful as well."

The situation highlights the impact of airline crashes on travelers and their families, underlining the need for caution and flexibility in air travel.

Stay informed with WIS as we continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the status of flights out of Washington DC.

For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Sign up for more like this.