Another Close Call at JFK Airport?

Air traffic controllers say two planes were within 100 feet of colliding at JFK Airport this past weekend.

The FAA is investigating (it hasn't heard of such an incident yet), and a spokesperson for one of the airlines allegedly involved said the claim from air traffic controllers was "false." However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association says the incident occurred on Saturday, between two passengers planes on runways perpendicular to each other. According to the NATCA's spokesman, an air traffic controller "ordered the inbound pilot to take a hard left and the outbound a hard right, avoiding a collision."

Last December, two planes, a small commuter jet and a cargo plane, reportedly almost collided; they were both on JFK Airport's perpendicular runways. Previously, Senator Chuck Schumer has criticized the FAA for understaffing air traffic control towers.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 7, 2008 5:37 PM

Comments [rss]

Novanglus

It was very easy for a passenger to not see the incident. A passenger's range of view is often limited, especially when turning.

The runway configuration that this probably took place on is, I'd hate to say it, somewhat unsafe.

The go-around procedurres are GOOD, but when dealing with foreign pilots who don't have great English skills and are not used to the airport, close calls WILL happen.

NannyState

In the old days, this hubbub would have resulted in delayed coctails.

Snoopy

The FAA hasn't heard of the incident? WTF? If I was on plane one on the right hand side of the plane, or if I was on plane two on the left hand side of the plane and saw this incident wouldn't I complain about same after blotting the shit off my seat? Isn't there a stewardess call button located overhead?