The incident occurred on a Tuesday morning, involving American Airlines flight 2246 coming from Boston. As the plane prepared to land, air traffic control ordered the flight to abort the descent to maintain safe separation from another plane taking off from the same runway. This directive led to a swift ascent and redirection of the flight, ensuring passenger safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed this ‘go around’ procedure as a standard safety measure, although it felt urgent to those on board. Passenger Itai Vardi described the maneuver as sudden, likening the pilot’s actions to an emergency response. The flight landed safely following the incident.
This near miss is one of several recent aviation safety concerns. Less than a month prior, a midair collision near the same airport resulted in 67 fatalities. Additionally, a Delta plane in Toronto experienced a severe landing incident, although all on board survived. These events have heightened scrutiny on aviation protocols.
In a related event shortly after the Reagan situation, a Southwest Airlines flight at Chicago Midway International Airport was forced to abort its landing when a private jet unexpectedly crossed its path on the runway. The private jet, operated by Flexjet, was instructed to hold but proceeded across the active runway, coming within 2,050 feet of the commercial flight, prompting immediate evasive action.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the need for strict adherence to air traffic control instructions, warning against non-compliance that could result in license suspension. Meanwhile, Flexjet acknowledged the incident and is conducting an internal review.
Between January 2023 and September 2024, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated 13 incidents of runway incursions, highlighting the ongoing risk of such events. The investigations have ranged from scenarios without immediate danger to those narrowly avoiding disaster.
These recent incidents underscore the critical need for vigilance and adherence to established safety protocols in aviation. As investigations continue, maintaining rigorous standards is essential to prevent future close calls.
