Am Boston Logan International Airport A serious near-collision occurred on Thursday between an approaching aircraft of the Delta Air Lines and a departing aircraft of the regional airline Cape Air happened. The US Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has immediately launched an investigation into the incident. The close call, with the aircraft on intersecting runways, highlights the ongoing challenges to aviation safety in the USA.
The incident occurred at approximately 16:15 PM local time. The Delta flight DL263, Airbus A330-900neoThe aircraft, which was arriving from Paris (CDG) and had been diverted to Boston due to bad weather in New York, had to abort its approach to runway 04R and go around. This was necessary because the Cessna 402C the Cape Air with flight number CHAP548 The smaller Cessna had been cleared for takeoff on the intersecting runway 15R. As it crossed runway 04R, the horizontal separation from the Delta wide-body aircraft was only about 1000 meters. Audio recordings of the air traffic control communications on LiveATC.net document the tense situation, with the pilots of both aircraft describing it as "very close" and "not cool".
Despite the dangerous approach, the Delta crew successfully executed the required go-around maneuver and landed safely on the second approach. No injuries or damage were reported. The FAA is now investigating how the Cape Air aircraft was cleared for takeoff while the Airbus was already on final approach. This incident once again highlights the critical staffing situation at U.S. air traffic control. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had stated in recent days that the ongoing Government Shutdown in the USA, which results in air traffic controllers working without pay, has led to an increased number of sick leave reports and thus to a greater burden on the remaining staff.
The Boston incident is the latest in a series of near-collisions at major US airports in recent years, which have previously raised concerns about air traffic control procedures and staffing levels in control towers. The responsible authorities are under pressure to quickly determine the causes and implement measures to ensure air traffic safety.