Pilots take evasive action as two planes landing at JFK get dangerously close
Pilots take evasive action as two planes landing at JFK get dangerously close
On Monday, a plane landing at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport veered into the path of another jet on a parallel runway, activating collision alerts and prompting immediate maneuvers by the crew. The near-miss involved Republic Airways Flight 4464, operated by American Airlines, and Jazz Aviation Flight 554, flying for Air Canada.
Controllers issue urgent instructions
According to audio from ATC.com, a controller alerted Republic pilots about the proximity of Jazz Aviation’s plane. “You are flying through the approach course of runway 31 left. Correct immediately,” the warning was relayed. Meanwhile, another controller instructed Jazz 554 to ascend to 3,000 feet, stating, “The traffic on your left is overshooting the parallel.”
“You are flying through the approach course of runway 31 left. Correct immediately,” the controller warned the Republic pilots, according to audio captured by ATC.com.
“Jazz 554 climb and maintain 3,000 (feet),” a different controller said, directing the plane to get out of the way.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that Republic’s aircraft aborted its landing after deviating from the intended approach path and coming within close proximity to Jazz Aviation’s flight. Both planes circled the airport before completing safe landings. Republic stated that its pilots followed the onboard alert, “and, consistent with our training and procedures, executed a go-around to land without further incident.”
Close calls in recent days
Data from Flightradar24 indicated the planes were about half a mile apart and at nearly the same altitude during the closest approach. The FAA is now examining the incident, which adds to a series of near-misses. Earlier this month, a Frontier Airlines plane at Los Angeles International Airport had to brake abruptly when two trucks crossed its path. Last month, a Black Hawk helicopter triggered an anti-collision alarm in a United aircraft landing in Orange County. And on Saturday, two Southwest Airlines jets nearly collided near Nashville.
CNN’s Alexandra Skores contributed to this report.
