On Monday afternoon, a near collision incident occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. An American Airlines regional jet and an Air Canada Express flight came dangerously close to each other, prompting both pilots to abort their landings.
Details of the Incident
The event transpired around 2:30 p.m. when Republic Airways Flight 4464, operating as American Airlines, strayed from its designated landing path towards Runway 31L. Concurrently, Jazz Aviation Flight 554, affiliated with Air Canada Express, received clearance to land on the adjacent Runway 31R. This misalignment caused a serious safety risk.
Quick Response from Air Traffic Control
- Air traffic controllers quickly noticed the situation and instructed the Air Canada crew to climb to 3,000 feet.
- The American jet had drifted into conflicting airspace, triggering onboard collision-avoidance alerts for both aircraft.
Both flight crews acknowledged the warnings and immediately initiated go-arounds. This prompt action helped avert a potential disaster.
Proximity of Aircraft
Preliminary assessments by U.S. aviation media suggest the two planes were alarmingly close. They came within approximately 350 feet vertically and less than a kilometer horizontally before separating safely.
Safe Resumption of Flight
Following the near miss, both aircraft managed to circle back and land without incident. Remarkably, this occurrence took place just one month after a tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express jet and a fire truck, underscoring ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety.
