FAA opens probe after 2 commercial planes nearly collide in mid-air over New York

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after two commercial planes with over 150 people on board were in a near mid-air collision over New York, due to an apparent miscue at air traffic control.

In an unnerving dash camera video taken by police in Syracuse, New York, the two aircraft could be seen seemingly on a deadly collision course as one landed while the other took off.

The incident happened at around 11.50am local time on July 8, CBS News reported.

It involved American Eagle Flight 5511 – operated by a regional branch of American Airlines – and Delta Connection 5421, which is operated by Endeavor Air, a regional branch of Delta Air Lines. Both aircraft were Bombardier CRJ-700 jets.

Audio of air traffic control’s communication with the pilots shows that the controller initially gave the green light for the American Eagle flight to land on the same runway – Runway 28 – from where the Delta flight was taking off.

A pilot on the American Eagle flight is heard in the audio asking: “Wait, who’s cleared to take off on 28?”

At that point, traffic control instructs the American Eagle pilot to abort the landing and “go around”, which the pilot does.

But the American Eagle plane, while climbing to an altitude of around 556m, still followed a path that ultimately led it over the runway from where the Delta flight was taking off.

By then, the Delta plane had left the ground and was climbing at full speed on the same path as American Eagle’s.

At one point, American Eagle Flight 5511 was flying just 220m above Delta Connection Flight 5421.

The American Eagle flight turned, veering 120m off its path to avoid the Delta plane.

This may have been when a North Syracuse Police Department vehicle caught a glimpse of the planes on its dash camera. From a distance, it looked like they were seconds from slamming into each other.

CBS News said Delta Connection Flight 5421 – which was headed to New York City – had 76 passengers and four crew members, including two pilots and two flight attendants

American Airlines said Flight 5511, from Washington, was carrying 75 passengers and four crew members.

The FAA said it was investigating the incident and what may have led up to it.

In a statement to CBS News, Delta said: “Endeavor Air and Delta will work with aviation authorities as we always do in our shared commitment to safety above all else.”

American Airlines confirmed that the incident happened but declined to comment and deferred to the FAA probe.