Close Call at Newark: Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny

The FAA and NTSB are investigating a close call at Newark Airport, involving Alaska Airlines and FedEx planes landing on intersecting runways. This incident prompts closer examination of FAA air traffic control practices and staffing, amid recent safety concerns and recommendations for improvement following a fatal 2025 collision.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced an investigation into a near-miss involving Alaska Airlines and FedEx planes at Newark Liberty International Airport. Both aircrafts were attempting to land on intersecting runways when an air traffic controller instructed Alaska's flight to abort landing to avoid conflict with the FedEx aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which handles most airspace incidents, is conducting its own inquiry. This incident is part of a series of alarming close calls in 2023 that led Congress to demand improvements in the FAA's handling of air traffic control and prompted recommendations from the NTSB after a deadly 2025 mid-air collision.

In response, the FAA has initiated measures like prohibiting helicopter traffic near major airports and ensuring the use of radar separation. As concerns about air traffic control safety and staffing persist, industry stakeholders are awaiting further recommendations and reforms.