FAA Investigates Near-Miss Incident Over Austin, Texas

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently conducting an investigation into a near-miss encounter involving an American Airlines Boeing 737 and a Cessna 182 over Austin, Texas. The incident, which took place on Wednesday morning, reportedly saw the two aircraft come within approximately 350 feet of each other near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

During the approach of American Airlines Flight 2587 from Chicago, carrying 122 passengers and six crew members, an air traffic controller queried, “Did you ever see him the second time around?,” as documented in air traffic control audio disclosures. To this, a pilot on-board responded, “We saw him when he flashed us and flew right into us.”

Data from Flightradar24.com indicates that the American Airlines flight was about 350 feet higher than the Cessna, with both aircraft maintaining a horizontal separation of less than 800 feet at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time. The controller further instructed, “If you want to declare a near miss let us know.”

According to the FAA’s statement to CBS News, the Cessna “unexpectedly entered the flight path of American Airlines Flight 2587,” prompting an alert within the 737’s cockpit and necessitating evasive maneuvers by the pilots. Audio from the event notes that the American Airlines pilots were responding to a Resolution Advisory (RA) command from the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a crucial alert designed to help avert collisions. Pilots are advised to react to such signals within five seconds.

The quick actions taken by the American pilots led to further complications, as they momentarily lost separation with a third aircraft, a small private jet. Air traffic controllers had to urgently instruct that aircraft to alter its course, exclaiming, “6-pappa golf turn right 0-3-0 immediately,” and subsequently confirming visibility with, “papa-golf traffic to your right, an American 737 do you have him in sight?”

American Airlines Flight 2587, despite the tense situation, successfully landed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after executing a go-around. An American Airlines spokesperson expressed gratitude towards the crew, lauding their “professionalism and expertise” and emphasized their commitment to safety.

Notably, this incident occurred under foggy conditions, as detected by pilot conversations just prior to the close encounter. The FAA reassured that all involved aircraft safely landed at their destinations. This event arises shortly after another aviation incident in San Diego involving Southwest Airlines flights, further prompting the FAA to examine operations at the nation’s 45 busiest airports for safety improvements.

A similar incident transpired last February at the Austin airport, wherein a FedEx 767 was cleared to land amid adverse weather conditions while a Southwest 737 was still preparing for takeoff. In that scenario, FedEx first officer Robert Bradeen perceptively identified the nearing aircraft and commanded a go-around to avert a collision.

In his recollection to CBS News, Bradeen stated, “I saw a light that turned out to be the position light on the Southwest airplane and quickly saw the silhouette following that and called for a go-around,” highlighting the critical role training and experience played in safety. FedEx Captain Hugo Carvajal recounted the swift maneuver to climb and evade the incident as vital, mentioning that both he and Bradeen were immediately alert upon hearing the takeoff clearance while on a close final approach.

These occurrences underline the imperative nature of stringent procedural adherence and vigilant situational awareness in the realm of aviation safety.