FAA Investigates Near-Miss as Delta Pilot Executes Logan Airport Go-Around
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating a concerning incident at Boston’s Logan Airport. This event involved Delta Air Lines Flight 263, which nearly collided with Cape Air Flight 548 during landing and takeoff procedures.
Incident Overview
On Thursday, Delta Flight 263 was in the process of landing at approximately 4:15 PM Eastern Time. The aircraft, an Airbus A330-900neo, was diverted to Boston from Paris due to adverse weather conditions affecting New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. The flight carried 284 passengers and 11 crew members.
Go-Around Procedure Initiated
As the Delta flight approached Logan, air traffic control ordered the pilot to execute a go-around. This directive was issued to maintain safety as Cape Air Flight 548 was cleared for takeoff from an intersecting runway.
The FAA has explained that a go-around is an established procedure where a pilot aborts the landing approach and ascends back to altitude when instructed by air traffic control.
Post-Incident Actions
- The Delta flight successfully executed the go-around and landed safely afterward.
- Passengers were able to deboard without incident.
Audio recordings from air traffic control revealed pilot reactions to the close call. The Cape Air pilot remarked, “What the heck?” while the Delta pilot responded, “That was close.” These exchanges underscore the tension during the incident.
Ongoing FAA Investigation
Details regarding the number of passengers on Cape Air Flight 548 remain unclear as the FAA continues its investigation into the near-miss. The organization aims to gather all relevant information to ensure flight safety.
In light of this incident, Delta has joined other major airlines in urging Congress to address the government shutdown impacting air traffic control operations. There have been reports of increased absenteeism among controllers, further straining air traffic management.
This incident at Logan Airport highlights the critical role of effective communication and protocol adherence in aviation safety, particularly during busy travel periods.
