**Near Miss Between Alaska Airlines and FedEx Planes Raises Air Traffic Safety Concerns**
Key Takeaways:
- An Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo plane nearly collided at Newark Liberty International Airport.
- The near-miss occurred due to the challenge of coordinating landings on intersecting runways, according to a former vice president of the FAA.
- The incident has spurred further investigations by the FAA and NTSB into safety procedures at the airport.
Newark, New Jersey — A recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo plane narrowly avoiding a collision at Newark Liberty International Airport leads to renewed discussions about safety protocols at the busy aviation hub.
Details of the Close Encounter
According to radar data released by FlightRadar24, the two planes came too close for comfort while trying to land on intersecting runways. The nerve-wracking incident took place around 8:17 p.m. on Tuesday, with the Alaska flight coming in from Portland, Oregon, and the FedEx flight arriving from Memphis, Tennessee. Air traffic control ordered the Alaska Airlines plane to perform a go-around maneuver just seconds before landing as the FedEx flight continued its landing, managing to clear each other by a slim margin of 300-to-325 feet.
Familiar Challenges at Intersecting Runways
The potential for such close encounters isn’t entirely new to airports with intersecting runways. Michael McCormick, a former vice president of the FAA, explained this is a challenging balancing act for controller towers, as getting the timing perfect can be difficult. This event marked a regrettable instance of the waiting game going a little too far, forcing the Alaska flight crew to perform a go-around maneuver while being just 150 feet in the air.
FAA Investigating Amid Partial Government Shutdown
The FAA defines go-arounds as a “routine safety procedure” and has stated it is currently investigating the incident. Both Alaska Airlines and FedEx have released statements confirming their cooperation with ongoing investigations. The timing of the incident runs parallel to concerns raised about the partial government shutdown. With a reported decrease in staff for the Transportation Security Administration, some airports are experiencing longer waiting times in the security line, adding more strain to an already tense industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Alaska Airlines’ near collision trending?
A: It is trending due to the rarity of such a tight shave & the raised concerns over air traffic safety and its adherence to protocols.
Q: What happens next?
A: The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the incident. Any changes to air traffic safety procedures or regulations will likely be implemented once these findings are complete.
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