Local News
2 planes clipping wings while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that two American Airlines aircraft made contact on a taxiway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on the afternoon of Thursday, April 10.
According to an official statement from the FAA, the incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time when American Airlines Flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ900, struck the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 4522, an Embraer E175, while taxiing.
Flight 5490 was scheduled to depart for Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, while Flight 4522 was bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
There were no immediate reports of injuries among passengers or crew members aboard either aircraft.
Both planes were returned to the gate for inspection and evaluation.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances and contributing factors.
No delays or impacts to broader airport operations have been reported at this time.
The agency advises that any further inquiries related to passenger arrangements or airline procedures be directed to American Airlines.
Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.