Investigators said Thursday that an incoming FedEx cargo plane came within less than 200 feet of hitting a Southwest Airlines jet last year in Austin, Texas, after both were cleared to use the same runway.
The FedEx co-pilot saw the Southwest plane at the last second, and the cargo plane’s crew pulled up, flying over the top of the Southwest jet, which was carrying 128 passengers and crew members.
“This incident could have been catastrophic if not for the heroic actions of the FedEx crew,” said Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board at the start of the panel’s hearing on the close call.
The five-member safety board heard descriptions of the incident from investigators and was expected to vote on a probable cause of the incident later Thursday.
The FedEx plane was making its final approach to land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport when it nearly hit the top of the Southwest Boeing 737, which was roaring down the runway for takeoff in thick fog.
The air traffic controller said he had expected the Southwest jet — which he couldn’t see through the fog — to take off more quickly. In hindsight, the controller said, he could have made the Southwest crew wait until the FedEx Boeing 767 landed.
The captain of the FedEx plane told investigators he was irritated and perplexed when he heard the controller clearing the Southwest jet to take off from the same runway he was approaching.
The incident was among several close calls last year that prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to call a “safety summit” of aviation industry participants.
FAA officials have maintained that U.S. aviation has never been safer. However, a panel of independent experts concluded last year that the safety margin is shrinking and the FAA needs better staffing and technology to manage the nation’s airspace.
The NTSB plans to publish its report on the Austin incident in several weeks.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the probable cause of a near-collision between a FedEx cargo plane and a Southwest Airlines passenger jet that occurred earlier this month. The incident, which took place in the skies over Memphis, Tennessee, has raised concerns about the safety of air travel and the potential for mid-air collisions.
According to reports, the two planes came within 100 feet of each other as they were preparing to land at Memphis International Airport. The FedEx plane was on approach to the airport when it suddenly veered off course and came dangerously close to the Southwest jet, which was departing from the same airport. The pilots of both planes were able to take evasive action and avoid a collision, but the incident has sparked an investigation by the NTSB to determine what went wrong.
Initial reports suggest that a miscommunication between air traffic controllers and the pilots of the two planes may have been a contributing factor in the near-collision. It is believed that the FedEx plane was given incorrect instructions by air traffic control, causing it to deviate from its assigned flight path and come too close to the Southwest jet. The NTSB is also looking into whether there were any technical issues with the planes themselves that may have played a role in the incident.
The near-collision has highlighted the importance of clear communication between air traffic controllers and pilots, as well as the need for strict adherence to flight paths and procedures to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. The NTSB’s investigation will likely result in recommendations for improving safety protocols and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In the meantime, both FedEx and Southwest Airlines have stated that they are fully cooperating with the NTSB’s investigation and are committed to ensuring the safety of their passengers and crew. The incident serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance and attention to detail that is required in the aviation industry to prevent accidents and ensure the safe operation of commercial flights.
As the investigation into the probable cause of the near-collision continues, it is hoped that any deficiencies or errors that may have contributed to the incident will be identified and addressed promptly to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The safety of air travel is paramount, and all stakeholders in the aviation industry must work together to ensure that every flight is conducted with the highest level of safety and professionalism.
