An American Airlines plane arriving at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had to perform a go-around maneuver at the instruction of an air traffic controller to avoid getting too close to another aircraft departing from the same runway, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident involving American Flight 2246 from Boston occurred around 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Similarly, Southwest Flight 2504 from Omaha, Nebraska, had to climb back into the sky while attempting to land at Chicago’s Midway Airport to avoid another aircraft crossing the runway.
Both Southwest and American airlines confirmed that their flights landed safely after their crews executed precautionary go-around maneuvers. While the Southwest pilots had to act swiftly to avoid the other plane, the incident at Reagan was described as more routine, with pilots following the tower's instructions.
Aviation experts noted that such maneuvers are not uncommon in commercial flights for various reasons, ranging from adverse weather conditions to unexpected obstacles like wildlife on the runway. Pilots can initiate a go-around without causing much alarm to passengers if the plane is still at a sufficient altitude during its approach.
Recent data from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that nearly 4 out of every 1,000 arrivals at the nation’s 30 busiest airports involved go-arounds in fiscal year 2023. This statistic is put into perspective considering the FAA manages approximately 45,000 flights daily.
The National Transportation Safety Board released two reports detailing close calls at airports in Honolulu and Sarasota, Florida, last year. In both instances, the timely execution of go-around maneuvers prevented potential collisions between aircraft.
Pilots undergo extensive training to conduct go-around procedures, especially when relying on instruments for landing in low-visibility conditions. Reasons for aborting a landing can vary from incorrect altitude or speed to runway obstructions or air traffic control errors.
While go-arounds are a standard safety measure in aviation, recent incidents have highlighted the importance of pilot training, air traffic control vigilance, and adherence to protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Notably, the aviation industry has faced several major disasters in North America in recent weeks, underscoring the critical need for ongoing safety measures and investigations to prevent future tragedies.
