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NTSB Investigates Close Call Between Southwest Jet and Medical Helicopter Near Cleveland
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into a concerning incident on October 29 where a Southwest Airlines jet and a medical helicopter came dangerously close to colliding near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio.
According to the NTSB, the two aircraft experienced a “loss of separation,” meaning they breached the required minimum safe distance from each other. This occurred as Southwest Flight 1333, arriving from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), was on its final approach. The pilot of the Southwest Boeing 737 was forced to abort the landing, but the aircraft subsequently landed safely a short time later.
Neither the NTSB nor Southwest Airlines disclosed the exact number of passengers and crew onboard the airliner. Preliminary information suggests the helicopter was transporting a patient at the time of the incident.
Southwest Airlines released a statement on Sunday, November 2, commending “the professionalism of our crew in responding to the situation.” The airline confirmed its full cooperation with the NTSB investigation. A representative for the medical transport company has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This incident comes amidst heightened concerns regarding near-misses between commercial aircraft and helicopters, particularly following a tragic mid-air collision on January 29 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. That accident, which involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter, claimed 67 lives.
Deviation from Course Averted Potential Collision
Aviation tracking website Flightradar24, citing air traffic control audio and flight data, reported that the Southwest plane was compelled to deviate from its course to avoid the Eurocopter helicopter. At one point, both aircraft were at an altitude of 2,075 feet (632 meters) and were separated by a mere 0.56 miles (0.9 km).
Audio recordings from Flightradar24 indicate that an air traffic controller instructed the medical helicopter to follow behind other air traffic. However, the helicopter pilot requested to go “above it and in front of it,” a request to which the controller subsequently agreed.
Sources briefed on the matter revealed that the Southwest captain, in a report to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), described the event as “extremely close” and requiring immediate action to prevent a collision.
The FAA has faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and NTSB investigators for its perceived inaction on previous near-miss reports, particularly prior to the January 29 collision. In that incident, the Army Black Hawk helicopter was operating above its permitted altitude when it crashed into the Potomac River along with the airliner.
In response to these concerns, the FAA modified helicopter routes near BWI, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Reagan last month to incorporate additional buffer zones. Furthermore, in May, the FAA prohibited the Army from flying helicopters near the Pentagon after another close call on May 1 forced two civilian planes to abort their landings.
The NTSB disclosed in March that since 2021, there have been 15,200 loss of air separation incidents near Reagan between commercial airplanes and helicopters, including 85 categorized as close-call events.