WASHINGTON DC— A Republic Airways (YX) flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was forced to abort a landing on Monday morning (September 8, 2025) after pilots spotted a maintenance vehicle on the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Republic Airways Flight 4528, operated by a regional jet, was initially cleared to land on DCA’s main runway around 7 a.m. but was later directed by air traffic controllers to circle and attempt a landing on Runway 33. As the aircraft approached, pilots noticed a vehicle present and quickly radioed the tower before executing a go-around.
Photo: By Halligan218 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114029130Republic Airways Pilots Abort Landing at DCA
The FAA confirmed that maintenance crews were conducting inspections on Runway 33 at the time of the incident.
Controllers instructed the Republic Airways pilots to circle the airfield and delay their landing until the runway was clear. The aircraft eventually landed safely on the main runway without further issues.
Audio from LiveATC.net captured the exchange, with one pilot asking, “Tower, is there a vehicle on 33?” The controller confirmed the presence of maintenance staff and advised the aircraft to continue circling.
While go-arounds are a standard safety maneuver, they often catch passengers by surprise due to the sudden change in flight path.
Photo: By dbking – originally posted to Flickr as _MG_4885, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8692060Air Traffic Management at Reagan National
Reagan National Airport (DCA) has one of the most complex airspaces in the United States. To balance heavy traffic flow, air traffic controllers often direct smaller regional jets to Runway 33 instead of the main runway.
This requires a precise maneuver: aircraft must depart from the typical Potomac River approach, swing inland, and line up with the shorter strip.
On Monday, this routing led to a close encounter with runway maintenance activity. Although no injuries or damage occurred, the event highlighted the delicate balance between efficiency and safety in one of the busiest airports on the East Coast.
Photo: NTSBPrevious Safety Concerns and Investigations
Runway 33 at DCA has been linked to several safety concerns in recent years. A notable incident occurred on January 29, when a regional jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter during a circling approach to the same runway.
The crash claimed 67 lives and raised scrutiny over FAA traffic management procedures at National.
Following that tragedy, the FAA adjusted traffic flows and closed certain helicopter routes to reduce risks. Still, reports of close calls continue.
In May, two commercial airliners were forced to go around to avoid conflict with a military helicopter landing at the Pentagon, which is located just across the Potomac from DCA.
Photo: By Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America – brAAnd new E175 for AA, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43511870FAA Response and Ongoing Oversight
The FAA has stated that it is investigating the Monday incident involving Republic Airways Flight 4528.
While the maneuver was executed safely, the presence of maintenance vehicles during active approach clearances has raised questions about communication and coordination between controllers and ground crews.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Reagan National, directed inquiries to the FAA. Republic Airways has not provided additional comment on the matter.
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