NEW YORK — On Monday, a dramatic incident unfolded at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport when a plane veered into the flight path of another jet, triggering collision alarms and necessitating swift action from the pilots.
Republic Airways Flight 4464, operating under American Airlines, had been given clearance to land on JFK’s runway 31 Left. At the same time, Jazz Aviation Flight 554, flying for Air Canada, was approaching runway 31 Right, a parallel runway.
An air traffic controller urgently cautioned the Republic pilots, stating, “You are flying through the approach course of runway 31 left. Correct immediately,” as recorded by ATC.com.
To avert disaster, a separate controller instructed the Jazz Aviation flight, “Jazz 554 climb and maintain 3,000 feet. The traffic on your left is overshooting the parallel,” directing the plane to ascend out of harm’s way.
The Federal Aviation Administration has reported that initial data indicates the Republic aircraft aborted its landing after it strayed from its intended path, getting alarmingly close to Jazz Aviation Flight 554.
Both planes’ onboard anti-collision systems activated, prompting each aircraft to circle the airport before successfully landing without incident.
Republic said its pilots complied with the onboard warning, “and, consistent with our training and procedures, executed a go-around to land without further incident.”
At their closest point, the aircraft were about a half-mile apart and within 350 feet of the same altitude, according to data from Flightradar24.
The FAA is investigating the incident, which follows several close calls in recent days.
Two Southwest Airlines jets got dangerously close near Nashville on Saturday, triggering collision alarms.
Earlier this month, a Frontier Airlines flight taxiing on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport had to slam on the brakes after two trucks passed in front of it.
And last month, a Black Hawk helicopter triggered an anti-collision alarm in a United plane landing in Orange County, California.
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