Flight departures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were paused for about 20 minutes after two flight crews reported seeing what they believed was a drone near Runway 19. Pilots from American Eagle Flight 5128 and a Vista America aircraft reported lights and movement consistent with a drone. The FAA notified local and federal authorities and the FBI said it coordinates investigations into illegal drone activity; no drone has been confirmed. Operators in D.C.'s restricted airspace can face fines or criminal penalties.
Drone Report Briefly Halts Departures at Reagan National Airport; No Drone Yet Confirmed
J. David Ake/Getty Images - PHOTO: Jets are parked at their gates at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, September 10, 2026, in Arlington, VA.
Flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) were briefly paused Wednesday night after two flight crews reported seeing what they believed was a drone near Runway 19, according to FAA statements and air traffic control recordings.
What Happened
Shortly before 8 p.m., the pilot of American Eagle Flight 5128 told air traffic controllers:
"We saw like a drone or something that went flying by, probably halfway down the runway on final."
A crew on a nearby runway reported a similar sighting. A Vista America pilot added:
"I saw a light that I thought might have been a drone too."
The Federal Aviation Administration said it "briefly paused departures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for about 20 minutes after two flight crews reported seeing a drone near Runway 19," and that local and federal authorities were notified as part of the response.
Agency Responses
The FBI told ABC News it does not comment on specific incidents but said the bureau "works with our federal and local law enforcement partners to detect, track, and investigate illegal drone activity that could potentially threaten aviation safety, critical infrastructure, or public safety." The FBI also urged anyone who observes unsafe or improper drone use to report it via the tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Authorities have not confirmed whether a drone was recovered or located in the area.
Why This Matters
Washington, D.C., contains some of the most restricted airspace in the United States. Many consumer drones include GPS-based geofencing that prevents them from taking off or operating within D.C. airspace; to fly there legally a drone must have special FAA authorization or be modified to bypass those limits. Unauthorized drone operations near airports pose safety risks to aircraft on approach, landing and taxiing.
What Drone Operators Should Know
The FAA says it receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near U.S. airports each month. Operators who fly drones in restricted areas can face civil fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time under federal regulations.
Investigations into the incident at Reagan National are ongoing as the FAA and law enforcement review the reports and any available evidence.
Help us improve.
