A Delta Air Lines jet came within approximately 300 feet (90 meters) of an American Airlines plane at Boston Logan International Airport on Saturday, prompting the Delta aircraft to abort its landing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the close call involving the two commercial flights.
Todd Curtis, a former Boeing safety engineer and co-producer of a flight safety podcast, estimated the proximity using flight tracking data.
Describing it as "a significant incident," Curtis noted particular concern given it involved two professional airline crews. He highlighted ongoing concerns among federal aviation officials about such runway incursions, predicting intense scrutiny of Saturday's event.
The incident precedes a Capitol Hill hearing scheduled for Tuesday, in which the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation will address near-misses and runway incursions at U.S. airports and seek ways to enhance national airspace safety.
According to the FAA and flight logs, Delta flight 2351, arriving from Dallas, had to execute a "go-around" – an aborted landing – to avoid the American plane departing from an intersecting runway.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed the crew coordinated with air traffic control for the maneuver. The aircraft, carrying 129 passengers and six crew members, subsequently landed safely and deplaned without issue.
The FAA clarifies that go-arounds are considered safe, routine procedures, performed at the discretion of either the pilot or air traffic controllers.
