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By Hugh Cameron
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Two jets nearly collided over Syracuse, New York, on Monday morning, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
While catastrophe was avoided, at one point the two aircraft were only 725 feet apart due to an apparent communication error by air traffic control at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. One plane was instructed to take off by the airport's air traffic control, despite another being cleared for landing on the same runway.
Both planes were CRJs manufactured by Bombardier Aviation, according to plane-tracking website FlightAware. The incident occurred at around 11:45 ET on Monday.
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The incoming plane was American Airlines flight 5511, operated by its regional branch, PSA Airlines. The passenger jet had 79 people onboard as it made its descent following an hour-long flight from Washington, D.C.
However, it was at this point that a Delta Airlines Flight, which was carrying 76 passengers and four crew, began to take off from the same runway.
The pilot of the LaGuardia Airport-bound Delta flight can be heard on air traffic control announcing his departure, saying: "Delta 5421. Ready for the sky. Runway 2 8 ready for takeoff."
Air traffic control responded: "Cleared for takeoff on 2 8. 5421."
The American Airlines pilot then chimed in: "Wait, who's cleared to takeoff on 2 8?"
The incoming plane received instructions from air traffic control to cancel his landing and "go around," which the pilot promptly followed.
Flight radar data shows that the plane flew upward over the runway to an altitude of around 1,800 feet as the Delta Bombardier CRJ700 began its ascent.
While the planes avoided a catastrophic crash, which would have endangered all 159 onboard the two jets, at one point they were only 725 feet apart.
The near miss was caught on dashcam footage from the North Syracuse Police Department, obtained by WSYR.
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Delta Airlines told CBS News: "Delta will work with aviation authorities as we always do in our shared commitment to safety above all else."
When contacted by email, the FAA told Newsweek that it had opened an investigation into the incident.
On Wednesday, an FAA spokesperson said: "An air traffic controller instructed PSA Airlines 5511 to go around at Syracuse Hancock International Airport to keep it separated from an aircraft that was departing on the same runway."
The incident is the latest in a series of mishaps on American runways, and comes at a time of increased scrutiny over airlines and plane manufacturers in light of Boeing's ongoing criminal case and well-publicized safety issues.
On Monday, a wheel flew off of a United Airlines passenger jet as it took off from Los Angeles International Airport.
The Boeing 757-200 was carrying 174 passengers and seven crew, and was able to continue its journey to Denver International Airport despite the loss of its landing gear wheel.
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Update 7/15/24, 1:31 p.m. ET: This story was updated with response from the FAA.
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