Air traffic controllers at Boston Logan International Airport rushed to prevent a possible collision after two passenger jets came within an estimated 300 feet of one another, according to tense radio communications.
A Delta Air Lines flight was ordered into a go-around on Saturday while moments from landing, avoiding an American Airlines aircraft that was accelerating along the runway.
FlightRadar24 tracking images appeared to show the aircraft paths crossing, and aviation specialists estimated the separation between the planes was roughly 300 feet.
“Delta 2351 going around because of American,” the Delta pilot said in audio captured by LiveATC.com.
“American 3161 where [are] you going?” an air traffic controller quickly asked.
“You cleared us for take off 3161,” the American Airlines pilot responded.
“Delta 2351, turn right heading of 360, maintain 3,000,” the controller then directed.
Todd Curtis, a former Boeing safety engineer, described the close call as a “significant incident.”
The Delta plane, which was en-route from Dallas, carried 129 passengers and six crew members and it landed safely after performing the go-around.
An airline spokesperson said the crew “received an advisory from onboard systems of potential traffic,” the Boston Globe reported.
“Delta aircraft are equipped with technology to warn crews of potential conflicts with other aircraft and our pilots train extensively to respond,” Anthony Black, a spokesperson, said.
The American Airlines plane – a Boeing 737-823 aircraft – was departing for Charlotte at the time of the scare.
The carrier referred requests for comment to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Go-arounds are safe, routine procedures performed at the discretion of the pilot or air traffic controllers, according to the FAA.
With Post wires.
