At Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday, an American Airlines pilot had to slam on the brakes to avoid a truck that came within feet of colliding with the plane on the taxiway, according to reports. Two vehicles drove past the plane, seemingly unaware that Flight 1197 had its taxi lights on. The American Airlines flight was heading from Charlotte to Washington, DC, and arrived safely on time around 9am. Charlotte Douglas International Airport said it was aware of the reported incident and that safety and security are top priorities. The incident at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is under investigation by the airport and the Federal Aviation Administration, officials said.
Earlier this week, a United Airlines flight came within a few hundred feet of a military helicopter near John Wayne Airport in Southern California, reports indicate. The incident near John Wayne Airport occurred around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday. A military Black Hawk helicopter returning from a training mission crossed into the United Airlines plane's path. The United Airlines pilots stopped their descent and leveled off to avoid a collision. The United Airlines plane was carrying 162 passengers and six crew members. United Airlines confirmed that pilots on United flight 589 were advised by air traffic control to watch for a military helicopter, saw the helicopter, received a traffic alert, and responded by leveling the aircraft. The United plane came within 525 feet of the helicopter vertically and 1,422 feet laterally at their closest point before leveling off after receiving a collision avoidance alarm. The pilot of the United flight responded to air traffic control that he received a resolution advisory, the most serious collision avoidance alarm. A California National Guard spokesperson confirmed that the helicopter was conducting routine training and returning to base at an assigned altitude while in communication with air traffic control. The FAA will investigate whether a new rule requiring air traffic controllers to actively use radar to direct helicopters and planes around airports was applied in the John Wayne Airport incident, according to officials.
During final approach to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, pilots on United flight 589 were advised by air traffic control to watch for a military helicopter flying near the airport. They saw the helicopter, and also received a traffic alert, which they responded to by leveling the aircraft.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, a close call between a commercial airliner and a cargo plane attempting to land on crossing runways is being investigated by federal aviation officials, reports show. The incident at Newark Liberty International Airport occurred two days before Thursday. An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 overflew a FedEx Boeing 777 at Newark Liberty International Airport. An air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 to perform a go-around because FedEx Flight 721 was cleared for a final approach to an intersecting runway. Alaska Airlines said the flight was cleared to land at Newark and that air traffic control issued a go-around, which its pilots are highly trained for. There were 171 passengers and six crew members on board the Alaska Airlines flight. FedEx said its flight crew followed instructions from air traffic control and landed safely.
Investigations by the FAA, NTSB, and airports into these incidents are ongoing, with outcomes pending. These events underscore broader safety implications in aviation, prompting scrutiny of procedures and communication protocols. The series of close calls has drawn attention to potential systemic issues, though no injuries or damages have been reported in any of the incidents. Authorities continue to analyze data and witness accounts to determine causes and recommend preventive measures.