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In a recent close call, two Southwest Airlines planes narrowly avoided a midair collision due to an air traffic control misstep at a Tennessee airport, federal officials have reported.
The incident occurred on a Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m. when Southwest Airlines Flight 507 was executing a go-around maneuver at Nashville International Airport. During this maneuver, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the flight was directed into the trajectory of another aircraft that was taking off from an adjacent runway.
According to the FAA, both pilots promptly responded to onboard warning systems that alerted them to the impending danger. In response, one aircraft ascended while the other descended, successfully averting a collision. This quick thinking was corroborated by audio recordings available on www.LiveATC.net.
Data from Flightradar24 suggested that the two planes may have come within 500 feet of each other, a proximity that meets the criteria for a near midair collision. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and precise communication in air traffic management to ensure passenger safety.
Location data from Flightradar24 showed the planes may have flown as close as 500 feet apart at one point. If confirmed, the distance would qualify as the official definition of a near midair collision.
Flight 507 landed safely after the scare, while the other Southwest Airlines flight, 1152, continued its trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, WWLTV reported.
A Southwest Airlines spokesperson said gusty winds forced the first pilot to do the initial go-around.
“Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its pilots and flight crews in responding to the event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the airline said in a statement.
The FAA will investigate the incident.
The close call comes after an Air Canada plane crashed into a rescue truck at LaGuardia Airport last month, killing both pilots, when an air traffic controller gave both the go-ahead for the same runway.
“Stop, stop, stop, stop,” a controller demanded, according to heart-stopping audio from the tower. “Truck 1, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1. Stop.”
A controller can be heard later in the audio admitting, “I messed up.”