The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating a narrowly missed midair collision between a United flight and a Delta flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The incident occurred on Saturday when Delta Flight 1070, inbound from Detroit with 245 passengers, had been cleared to land at Sky Harbor’s Runway 8. At approximately 11 a.m., a collision warning alerted the cockpit crew of the impending danger.
Simultaneously, a similar alert was triggered on United Flight 1724, arriving from San Francisco with 123 passengers. Both planes landed safely after experiencing a loss of required separation during their approach. Air traffic control promptly issued corrective instructions to both flight crews to avoid a potential disaster.
This incident comes amidst a concerning trend of 'runway incursions' at airports across the United States. Recent close calls, such as the near-collision at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in February 2023 and another incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, have raised alarms about aviation safety.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that factors such as faulty weather assessments and pilot distractions contributed to these near misses. In response, the FAA has implemented additional controller training and convened a summit to address the growing number of close calls on American runways. One of the key issues discussed has been air traffic controller fatigue and its impact on operational safety.
Source has reached out to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines for further comments on the incident. The FAA's investigation aims to determine the root causes of the near miss and prevent similar incidents in the future.
