✈️ Fox News Katie Pavlich’s Alarming Aviation Scare at DCA: Brakes Slammed Seconds Before Takeoff

February 26, 2025 | 12:40 AM EST

Washington, D.C. – Conservative commentator and Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich had a heart-pounding moment this morning when her flight out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) came to a screeching halt just seconds before takeoff. Pavlich took to X to share the startling incident with her followers, writing at 9:14 AM MST, “Welp, my flight from DCA was just about to take off and the pilots slammed on the brakes upon departure. We were seconds from being off the ground.”

The abrupt stop left passengers on edge, with Pavlich providing real-time updates as the situation unfolded. Moments later, at 9:15 AM, she posted, “Flight attendant just said, ‘Everything is fine at this moment.’ She also said she had little info. We’re headed back to the gate.” By 9:22 AM, Pavlich shared the latest development: “Pilot says departure was aborted due to a maintenance problem with a brake.”

This close call comes amidst heightened scrutiny of air travel safety following the tragic January 29, 2025, mid-air collision near DCA between an American Eagle flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which claimed 67 lives. That incident, the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over two decades, has reignited debates over the congested airspace around the nation’s capital and the reliability of aviation systems.

While there’s no indication that Pavlich’s flight was at risk of a similar catastrophe, the timing is uncanny. Her plane’s brake issue forced a return to the gate, leaving passengers rattled but safe. Pavlich, known for her sharp political commentary, didn’t speculate on the broader implications in her posts, sticking to the facts as they unfolded.

The Federal Aviation Administration has yet to comment on this specific incident, but all eyes will be on DCA as investigators and airline officials work to determine what went wrong. For now, Pavlich and her fellow passengers are left counting their blessings after a departure that could have ended far differently. 17GEN4.com