FAA Probes Near Midair at Boston Logan Between Delta A319 and American 737

The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation into a runway safety incident that occurred at Boston Logan International Airport involving two commercial aircraft from major U.S. carriers. On Saturday, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 performing an approach was forced to execute a go-around maneuver to avoid a potential collision with an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 that was departing on an intersecting runway. The event underscores challenges in managing intersecting runway operations in busy airspace.

According to data derived from ADS-B tracking, the two aircraft came within approximately 300 feet of each other at the closest point during the event. Delta Flight 2351, originating from Dallas with 129 passengers and six crew onboard, safely completed the go-around and landed without incident after coordinating with Boston air traffic control. The American Airlines flight was in the process of taking off when the go-around decision was made.

This incident takes place in the context of growing scrutiny over runway incursions and close calls at major U.S. airports. The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation is set to hold a hearing this Tuesday focusing on recent near misses and runway safety across the National Airspace System. The hearing will examine the effectiveness of current runway safety programs and the implementation of advanced safety technologies as part of ongoing FAA modernization efforts.

Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., highlighted the frequency and seriousness of such events by citing data from Reagan Washington National Airport, where approximately 15,000 near collisions have been reported over a three-year timeframe. He emphasized that these incidents illustrate the fragile nature of the current aviation system, particularly in congested airspace around the country. The Boston incident adds to the growing list of recent runway safety concerns.

Intersecting runway operations, like those at Boston Logan, pose specific challenges for air traffic controllers and pilots due to the potential paths crossing at or near the ground level. The FAA and airport authorities have put in place procedures and safety technologies like ground radar and runway status lights designed to mitigate risks. However, the incident reveals that even with these measures, close calls remain a significant hazard.

Delta Air Lines confirmed that its flight crew complied with air traffic control instructions and prioritized safety by executing the go-around maneuver. The airline stated the flight landed safely with no injuries or damage. American Airlines did not immediately comment on the incident, but their pilots followed proper departure procedures at the intersecting runway juncture.

The FAA’s investigation will assess air traffic control actions, pilot communications, and adherence to established runway safety protocols during the incident. The findings will contribute to broader efforts to enhance runway safety in congested airport environments. Improvements under consideration include upgrades to safety technology, reinforced crew resource management training, and procedural refinements for intersecting runway use.

Boston Logan International Airport is one of the nation’s busiest airports, frequently managing complex operations involving multiple intersecting runways. Managing simultaneous arrivals and departures on these runways requires close coordination between controllers and flight crews. Incidents like this one highlight the ongoing operational risks and the critical need for continual safety oversight and technology advances.

This specific occurrence at Boston Logan will inform discussions during the upcoming Senate subcommittee hearing on runway safety, further spotlighting the urgency to address near misses at high-density airports. Heightened awareness and scrutiny from Congress, industry stakeholders, and regulators are expected to drive additional safety initiatives aimed at minimizing the risk of runway incursions and collisions in congested airspace.