FAA Investigates a Midair near-collision in Phoenix: Details and Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a midair near-collision between two planes near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This incident, which occurred last Saturday, involved a United Airlines flight and a Delta Airlines flight, highlighting growing concerns about air safety at U.S. airports.
The Incident: Two Aircraft within a Few Feet of Each Other
Delta Flight 1070, an Airbus A330-300 carrying 245 passengers from Detroit, was cleared to land on runway 8 when a collision alert was triggered in the cockpit. Simultaneously, a Boeing 737-900 from United Flight 1724, carrying 123 passengers and six crew members from San Francisco, received a similar warning.
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At their closest point, the aircraft were separated by only 1,217 feet laterally and 875 feet vertically, according to Flightradar24. United, which had been descending, had to quickly ascend from 4,075 feet, preventing a potential disaster. Tracking data shows the planes came as close as .793 miles laterally and 425 feet vertically.
Causes and Airline Responses
Air traffic control issued immediate corrective instructions, which both crews successfully followed. United and Delta have stated that their crews acted according to established procedures for such critical situations.
Delta Airlines emphasized that its aircraft are equipped with advanced conflict-warning technology and that its pilots receive extensive training to handle uncommon scenarios like this.
United Airlines stated that its pilots acted immediately upon receiving the automated alert and are working with the FAA to clarify the circumstances.
This event occurs against a backdrop of increasing “runway incursions” at U.S. airports. According to FAA data from 2024, there were 1,757 such incidents, ranging from serious cases narrowly avoided to minor infractions.
In response, the FAA has implemented additional air traffic controller training and organized safety summits to address issues like controller fatigue.
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