FAA Investigates Narrow Collision Between Alaska Flight and Cargo Plane Near Crash
Federal aviation authorities are investigating a near-collision between an Alaska Airlines passenger jet and FedEx cargo plane that occurred while landing on intersecting runways at New Jersey's airport. Radar data indicates the two aircraft passed within just over three hundred feet of each other during what officials described as narrowly avoiding catastrophe, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew involved in either flight.
Key Points
-
1An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 came within approximately 300 feet of a FedEx Boeing 777 cargo plane during an aborted landing.
-
2The near-miss occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport while both aircraft were attempting to land on intersecting runways.
Developments
Perspectives
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 came within just a few hundred feet of hitting the cargo plane during an aborted landing.
— [Mar 21] The IndependentA commercial airliner and a cargo plane narrowly avoided colliding on intersecting runways at Newark Liberty International Airport, with radar data showing they cleared each other by approximately three to five meters (300-574 feet).
— [Apr 8:19] ABC News"An Alaska Airlines flight and a FedEx cargo plane came uncomfortably close as the planes landed on intersecting runways at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, officials said."
— (Mar 20) The Independent.co.ukAlaska Airlines Flight 294 and FedEx Flight 721 came within approximately 300 feet during an aborted landing on intersecting runways at Newark Liberty International Airport due to conflicting clearance instructions from air traffic control, which prompted Alaska's crew to execute a go-around. Former FAA official Michael McCormick attributed the incident partly to challenges posed by managing aircraft timing across these specific runway configurations amidst ongoing staffing shortages nationwide.
On Tuesday in Newark Liberty International Airport, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 performing an aborted landing came within 300 feet of a FedEx cargo plane on intersecting runways before air traffic control instructed the commercial flight to "go around." Both crews confirmed following instructions while authorities review the incident amid broader concerns regarding staffing shortages and operational safety.
On Tuesday night at Newark Liberty International Airport, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 was instructed by FAA controllers to perform a "go around" after being cleared for landing on intersecting runways with FedEx Flight 721. The incident has been reviewed jointly by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration following reports that the commercial jet flew over the cargo plane during this maneuver.
Alaska Airlines pilots executed an aborted landing on intersecting runways at New Jersey's Newark Airport after a FedEx cargo plane was cleared for approach, narrowly avoiding collision by 300 to 325 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating this "close call," which occurred amid ongoing staffing shortages affecting airport operations in recent years.