2 Passenger Jets Nearly Collided in Boston After Air Traffic Controller Forgot Who He Cleared for Takeoff, New Report Reveals

On June 20, an alarming incident unfolded at Boston Logan International Airport involving two passenger aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew members aboard either flight. A preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since provided insight into the near miss that occurred during a particularly busy period at the airport.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time when Delta flight 2351 was cleared to land on runway 33L, following a small aircraft that had just taken off. Simultaneously, American Airlines flight 3161 was preparing for takeoff from the intersecting runway 27. The NTSB report indicates that during this critical phase of flight, the two aircraft came alarmingly close to each other, estimated at just 670 feet apart.

As the events unfolded, the American Airlines plane initiated its takeoff roll after receiving clearance. However, just eight seconds later, the pilots encountered an error message in the cockpit and halted their acceleration. After a quick assessment, they determined that the warning had been a false alarm and proceeded to increase speed once more for takeoff.

Meanwhile, the pilots of the Delta flight observed the small plane cross the intersection of the two runways and heard the American Airlines flight receive clearance for takeoff. Initially, they assumed the runway would clear in time for their own landing. However, panic instigated by the first officer’s observation of the American Airlines flight’s abrupt stop prompted the Delta crew to abort their landing attempt. Instead, they executed a manoeuvre known as a go-around, which involves climbing away from the runway to ensure safe separation from other aircraft.

Air traffic control played a crucial role in the incident, as revealed during a post-event interview with one of the controllers. The controller had been monitoring the situation closely, having cleared the American Airlines flight for takeoff. He believed he saw the aircraft beginning its roll but then shifted his attention back to the small plane landing. A sudden anti-collision warning triggered confusion as he considered the small plane was no longer on the runway.

The controller noted that he typically angled the paper strips used for tracking flights to indicate their status, but in this case, the strip allocated to American Airlines flight 3161 remained upright. This oversight led him to mistakenly assume that clearance for takeoff had not been granted, exacerbating the confusion during a critical moment.

An audio recording from the control tower captured the interaction between the pilot of American flight 3161 and the controller. The pilot clarified their status, responding, “You cleared us for takeoff, 3161,” to which the controller’s querying voice can also be heard.

Both flights were carrying significant numbers of passengers: Delta flight 2351 had 131 individuals on board, while American Airlines flight 3161 was transporting 176. The fact that no one was injured throughout this alarming incident is a relief, particularly given the proximity of the two aircraft during the critical moments.

The NTSB has stated that it will continue its investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors of the near collision. The findings from this investigation could lead to recommendations and future changes in operational protocols to enhance safety at busy airports like Logan International.

This incident raises pertinent questions regarding air traffic control practices and the technology used in monitoring aircraft movements. As air travel continues to increase in volume, the challenges associated with ensuring safety at airports become even more complex and vital.

Authorities at Boston Logan International Airport will undoubtedly review these findings carefully to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As investigations progress, the aviation community remains vigilant in its commitment to safe travel and operational integrity.