Syracuse, NY – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting an investigation following a harrowing near-miss incident involving two major airliners over Syracuse, New York. The planes, one from American Airlines and the other from Delta, nearly collided mid-air on Monday at around 11:50 a.m. EDT.
Incident Details
A police dash camera captured the unnerving moment when the planes flew within just 725 feet of each other at their closest point. The incident resulted from a traffic control error that mistakenly cleared one plane to depart from Syracuse Hancock International Airport while simultaneously clearing the other to land on the same runway.
Expert Analysis
Aviation experts have indicated that, based on preliminary evidence, the flights were not on an actual collision course but were still flying in dangerously close proximity. This close encounter has raised significant concerns about the current air traffic control procedures and the measures in place to ensure flight safety.
Passengers and Safety
The Delta flight was carrying 76 passengers, while the American Airlines flight had 75 passengers on board. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from either flight. However, the close call has sparked a critical review of air traffic control protocols.
FAA’s Response
The FAA’s investigation aims to uncover how such a critical error occurred and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. An FAA spokesperson stated, “Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that our air traffic control system operates at the highest standards.
Broader Implications
The incident has ignited a broader discussion within the aviation community about the need for enhanced training, improved communication protocols, and updated safety technologies to prevent such close encounters from occurring again.
