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A Delta flight had to abort its landing at Boston Logan International Airport on Saturday morning after a near-collision with another aircraft, prompting an FAA investigation into the incident.
Delta Air Lines Flight 2351, arriving from Dallas-Fort Worth, executed a go-around around 11:30 a.m. when another plane was departing from an intersecting runway. The FAA described the maneuver as a routine safety procedure initiated by either pilots or air traffic controllers to maintain safe distances between aircraft.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed that the flight crew coordinated closely with Air Traffic Control and followed established protocols. The airline stressed that passenger safety remains its highest priority. The plane carried 129 passengers and six crew members and ultimately landed safely without any injuries reported.
Delta also noted that their aircraft are equipped with onboard systems that alert crews to potential traffic conflicts during descent, and pilots receive extensive training to respond effectively.
Several hours later, a second near-miss occurred involving two Southwest Airlines planes at Nashville International Airport. Around 5:30 p.m., both aircraft had to take evasive action after conflicting instructions from air traffic control led one pilot into the path of the other.
According to audio recordings, both pilots received alerts from onboard collision avoidance systems. To avoid collision, one plane climbed while the other descended.
Flight data shows the planes passed within approximately 500 feet of each other. The FAA has launched an investigation into this incident as well.
Southwest Airlines attributed the situation to gusty winds that prompted a go-around and emphasized that both pilots followed controller guidance and onboard safety systems. A spokesperson praised the professionalism of the flight crews and reaffirmed that safety remains Southwest’s top priority.
These two incidents highlight the critical role of coordination between pilots, air traffic control, and onboard safety technologies in ensuring safe air travel. The FAA continues to examine both events to determine the precise causes and prevent future occurrences.