Federal authorities have launched an investigation following a reported “near-miss” incident that took place Tuesday evening at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, involving a passenger jet and a cargo plane.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that the incident involved an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 flying over a FedEx Boeing 777, as both aircraft were on course to land on intersecting runways.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), around 8:15 p.m. local time, an air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 to execute a “go-around” procedure because FedEx Flight 721 had been cleared to approach a crossing runway.
A FedEx representative informed Fox News Digital that the FedEx Flight 721 crew landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport, following air traffic control’s directives, without any issues.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Alaska Airlines confirmed to Fox News Digital that their Flight 294 had also received landing clearance at the airport.
“Our pilots, who are extensively trained for such situations, followed air traffic control’s directive for a go-around,” the spokesperson stated. “We are aware that the FAA and NTSB are conducting investigations.”
Wreckage in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Jan. 30. (Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles, U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
The incident came just a year after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport, killing 64 people on the American Eagle flight and three aboard the military helicopter.
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest in the U.S. (Andres Kudacki/Getty Images)
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S., serving tens of millions of passengers annually. As of late, the airport has been plagued by air traffic controller shortages, leading to strained operations and major delays.
FAA and NTSB officials are investigating the incident.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
