FAA investigating close call at JFK Airport between 2 passenger jets
JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) -- Four commercial flights narrowly avoided collisions within a 48-hour span, including a close call Monday afternoon at John F. Kennedy International Airport in which an American Airlines jet veered into the path of an Air Canada plane on final approach.
Air traffic control recordings captured the tense moments as controllers urgently directed both aircraft to climb and change course. The Air Canada flight, call sign "Jazz 554," had been cleared to land when the American Airlines jet strayed off its assigned path.
"JAZZ 554, climb and maintain 3,000," a controller said, followed by the pilot's response: "Climb and maintain 3,000, Jazz 554." Moments later, the pilot reported, "TCAS RA," referring to an onboard collision-avoidance alert.
A second controller contacted the American Airlines flight, call sign "Brickyard 4464." "We're correcting, Brickyard 4464," the pilot said. The controller replied, "And Brickyard 4464, roger. I understand you are correcting. Do you have the field in sight, sir?" The pilot responded, "Uh, we are going around, Brickyard 4464."
Both planes were directed to climb and fly runway heading until they were safely separated.
Steve Ganyard, an ABC News contributor, said the incident reflects ongoing concerns about human error in aviation.
"Another incident where human error almost caused tragedy. You can hear alarms going off not only in the control tower but in the aircraft - this time again, technology prevented tragedy," Ganyard said.
The near miss occurred around 2:30 p.m. Monday, one month after a deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada jet and a fire truck, and less than two days after two Southwest Airlines planes in Nashville narrowly avoided each other.
The Department of Transportation on Monday outlined progress on its air traffic control modernization efforts, including replacing decades-old radio systems.
"The tools that are being developed will be incredibly helpful to air traffic controllers, and again, this is why we think the airspace will not just be more efficient, but it will be a lot safer," a spokesperson said.
Both planes involved in the JFK incident landed safely. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why the American Airlines jet deviated from its assigned course.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
