Alaska Air and FedEx Planes Avoid Collision at Newark Liberty International Airport
NEWARK, New Jersey – A harrowing near-miss occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday evening when an Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo plane came dangerously close to colliding during landing attempts. Radar data from FlightRadar24 reveals the Alaska Airlines plane cleared the FedEx aircraft by a mere 300-325 feet.
The incident unfolded around 8:17 p.m. as Alaska Airlines Flight 294, arriving from Portland, Oregon, and FedEx Flight 721, arriving from Memphis, Tennessee, approached intersecting runways. Air traffic control instructed the Alaska Airlines pilots to abort their landing just seconds before touchdown, while the aircraft was only 150 feet above the ground. Simultaneously, the FedEx plane continued its landing on the intersecting runway.
A Close Shave: Details of the Near Collision
Preliminary data from Flightradar24 confirms the incredibly close proximity, with the Alaska Airlines plane narrowly avoiding the FedEx aircraft by just 300 to 325 feet. This incident raises serious questions about air traffic control procedures and runway safety.
Michael McCormick, a former Vice President of the FAA, explained the challenges posed by intersecting runways. “It is a challenge for a tower controller to try to get that timing perfect; it doesn’t always work, and that’s what happened in this case. The tower controller waited, and unfortunately, in my opinion, too long, and they had to send the aircraft on a go-around.”
Recent Incidents and Ongoing Investigations
This near-miss follows another incident just two weeks prior, on March 3rd, when a Singapore Airlines plane clipped its wing with the tail of a parked Spirit Airlines plane. Notably, that incident occurred in an area of the airport where air traffic controllers do not actively manage traffic.
The FAA considers “go-arounds” a standard safety procedure. Both Alaska Airlines and FedEx have released statements regarding the incident and are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“Following instructions from air traffic control, the flight crew of FedEx flight 721 landed safely without incident at Newark Liberty International Airport Tuesday. Please direct further questions to the FAA,” stated FedEx.
“On Tuesday, March 17, Alaska Airlines Flight 294 was cleared to land at Newark Liberty International Airport. Air traffic control issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for. We’re aware the FAA and NTSB are investigating, and any further information would come from those agencies,” said Alaska Airlines.
The incident occurs during a period of partial government shutdown, which has led to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration and increased security wait times at some airports. The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the near-collision.
Source: ABC News
