Authorities investigating a close call at Newark Liberty International Airport said the incident involved an Alaska Airlines jet overflying a FedEx cargo plane as both sought landing positions on crossing runways in the New York City area. The NTSB said it was investigating the Tuesday night incident, which federal aviation officials said took place as air traffic control managed approaches to intersecting runways.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 from Portland, Oregon, to perform a go around—discontinue its landing approach and circle for a new approach—because FedEx Flight 721 from Memphis, Tennessee, was cleared for a final approach to an intersecting runway. The FAA said it was also investigating the incident.
Alaska Airlines said it had been cleared to land at Newark, and the airline said in a prepared statement that air traffic control “issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for.” The airline said there were 171 passengers and 6 crew members aboard Flight 294.
FedEx said in a prepared statement that its flight crew followed instructions from air traffic control and landed safely. The NTSB investigation will examine what led to the close call and how air traffic control procedures were applied during the landing sequence.
Federal investigators said the airport incident occurred during busy operations in the region, where multiple runways can intersect. The NTSB and the FAA’s separate investigations are expected to review communications and approach decisions, with findings that can inform safety procedures at other airports with similar runway layouts.