It was a tense moment for the air traffic controllers at Boston Logan Airport on Saturday, June 20.
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As reported by the New York Post, two passenger planes nearly smashed into each other over the airfield. They came within 300 feet of each other.
What Happened at Boston Logan Airport?
An American Airlines jet was heading down the runway at Boston Logan Airport. This forced a nearby Delta Airlines plane to perform a go-around right before landing.
According to FlightRadar24 maps, the two planes looked like they crossed each other in mid-air. Experts believe the aircraft were just 300 feet apart.
"Delta 2351 going around because of American," said the pilot in the audio.
"American 3161, where [are] you going?" said a controller.
"You cleared us for take off 3161," said the American Airlines pilot.
"Delta 2351, turn right heading of 360, maintain 3,000," said the controller.
The Delta plane was carrying 129 passengers and six crew members from Dallas. It landed safely after performing the go-around. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the maneuver is safe and routine. They are performed at the discretion of the pilot or air traffic controllers.
The crew "received an advisory from onboard systems of potential traffic," said an airline spokesperson.
"Delta aircraft are equipped with technology to warn crews of potential conflicts with other aircraft, and our pilots train extensively to respond," they added.
The American Airlines plane was taking off from Logan Airport for Charlotte, North Carolina.
A Similar Incident Occurred Last Month
A similar incident occurred when two aircraft came within 500 feet of crashing into each other at John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday, May 4.
During that incident, a Delta airliner coming into Queens, New York, from Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in upstate New York came within striking distance of a small propeller plane.
The Delta pilot reported the event. The airliner, operated by subsidiary Endeavor Air, was descending at 2,100 feet, while the smaller Cirrus aircraft was just above it at 2,575 feet.
The FAA stated that "air traffic control provided traffic advisories to both pilots, and each reported the other in sight. The required separation was maintained."
