Crash in D.C. leads to widespread disruptions and fear at BDL

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — An aircraft crash in Washington D.C. caused widespread disruptions in air travel, including multiple cancelations at Bradley International Airport.

American Airlines said it canceled four departures and three arrivals between Reagan National Airport and Bradley International Airport on Thursday in response to the incident.

Flights have since resumed at Reagan National after the tragic mid-air collision.

The atmosphere at Bradley was described as tense and uncertain.

Airlines and travelers alike said they felt the ripple effects of the incident, which added an emotional weight to an already stressful experience for many passengers.

One passenger said he was stranded at Reagan National after his flight to Bradley was cancelled.

He shared a photo of the massive number of flashing emergency lights as crews in D.C. responded to the tragedy.

This passenger said he ended up driving all the way back to CT overnight.

Kamia Imani, a flight attendant applicant, stated, “It’s really difficult and tough to travel on a day like this it’s really somber energy going on, it’s quite scary and disappointing.” She continued, “I actually came out here for a flight attendant interview because I’m currently applying for the aviation industry and it’s just hard to grasp what’s going on at the moment.”

Channel 3 spoke with private pilot Danny Hall of Torrington who survived two plane crashes in 2008 and 2014. He said he also served in the military and didn’t sleep overnight because he was watching coverage of the D.C. crash.

“I have radar TCAS in my plane and it’s very difficult to get close to an airplane or helicopter that I can see and something like this happening, so it’s really hard to say the visibility was great,” Hall said.

A passenger, Alaina, said she was scared and confused before flying American Airlines to Charlotte.

“It’s really disheartening. There’s like really only one purpose for air traffic control. I don’t understand how that could happen, and then you’re flying on that very airline, what’s to stop that from happening again,” she explained.

Roland Ignacio was supposed to fly to Dulles International Airport right outside of D.C. before his flight was cancelled.

“We can complain a lot, but we’re not the ones at the bottom of a river either. So, we’re happy. Be thankful for what we have,” said Ignacio.

Joshua Gowdy saw his flight from Dallas to Baltimore fill up immediately following mass cancellations to airports around D.C.

“It was empty, completely empty had a whole row. The next thing you know the whole thing was full. So, it was pretty crazy. Everyone was rushing, trying to get on these flights,” Gowdy said.

For those traveling through Bradley, it was a reminder to always double-check with an airline carrier ahead of time to confirm a flight status before heading to the airport.

As details continued to emerge about the crash in Washington DC, more cancellations or delays may be expected. Bradley listed flight statuses on its website here.

Stay with Channel 3 for continuing coverage.