On Saturday, January 11, 2025, a terrifying incident took place near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, involving two major airlines—Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
The event came close to turning into a catastrophic mid-air collision, as a Delta Airlines flight and a United Airlines flight narrowly avoided a disaster after experiencing a “loss of required separation.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the circumstances that led to this close encounter between the two commercial aircraft.
Thankfully, both planes were able to land safely, but the event has raised significant concerns regarding air traffic control and flight safety in one of the busiest airspaces in the United States.
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Details of the Incident
At approximately 11:00 AM on January 11, Delta Air Lines Flight 1070, an Airbus A330-300, and United Airlines Flight 1724, a Boeing 737-900, were approaching Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Delta’s flight had originated from Detroit, while United’s flight had been en route from San Francisco. Both flights were nearing the airport in preparation for landing when they came dangerously close to each other.
The FAA reported that both planes had experienced a “loss of required separation.” This term refers to a situation where two aircraft get too close to one another, violating the standard separation distance that must be maintained to ensure safety. The required separation distance varies depending on factors such as altitude, speed, and flight path, but the minimum distance is critical to prevent any risk of collision.
During this incident, onboard systems alerted the flight crews of both planes about the proximity of the other aircraft. The warning systems are designed to notify pilots when they are too close to another plane in the airspace, prompting immediate corrective action. Upon receiving the alerts, the flight crews took swift action, adjusting their flight paths in response to the warnings. Meanwhile, air traffic controllers at Phoenix Sky Harbor also issued “corrective instructions” to both crews, directing them to change their course in order to prevent a collision.
While the situation was a close call, both planes managed to avoid disaster and eventually landed safely at the airport. United Airlines confirmed that its pilots received an “automatic flight deck warning to change their altitude,” which prompted them to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their flight. Delta Air Lines also emphasized the importance of crew training in handling such rare events, stating that the flight crews followed the resolution advisory provided by the aircraft’s system.
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The Role of Air Traffic Control
The FAA’s investigation into the near-miss will likely focus on several key aspects, including air traffic control procedures, the timing of the separation alert, and the response of the flight crews. Aviation safety experts have raised concerns that the air traffic controller responsible for the area may have been distracted by other aircraft in the region, which could have contributed to the close proximity of the two planes. Cary Grant, an aviation safety expert, suggested that the controller might have been preoccupied with monitoring other aircraft on the same frequency at the time, which could have led to the lapse in separation.
The situation calls into question the effectiveness of air traffic control procedures in high-traffic airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor, which handles millions of passengers annually. The airport is a major hub for both Delta and United, and such close calls are concerning for the safety of travelers. While the controllers’ corrective instructions were effective in preventing a collision, the incident highlights the need for constant vigilance and efficiency in air traffic management.
It is worth noting that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a busy airspace, with numerous aircraft arriving and departing every day. In such high-traffic airspaces, air traffic controllers are tasked with managing multiple planes at once, which can be a challenging and high-pressure responsibility. However, this close call raises questions about whether improvements in technology, communication, and procedures are needed to prevent future incidents.
The Aircraft Involved
Delta Air Lines Flight 1070 was operated by an Airbus A330-300, a wide-body aircraft that is commonly used for long-haul flights. This particular aircraft had 245 passengers onboard, traveling from Detroit to Phoenix. The Airbus A330-300 is known for its reliability and safety, and it has been in service for many years, with an impressive safety record. Despite this, the near-miss incident demonstrates that no aircraft is completely immune to potential safety risks, especially when external factors such as air traffic control or human error come into play.
United Airlines Flight 1724, the second aircraft involved in the near-collision, was a Boeing 737-900. The Boeing 737 is one of the most widely used commercial aircraft in the world, with thousands of these planes flying across the globe every day. Flight 1724 was traveling from San Francisco to Phoenix, with 123 passengers and six crew members on board. The Boeing 737-900 is a smaller aircraft compared to the Airbus A330, but it is still capable of carrying a significant number of passengers. The Boeing 737 is also known for its safety and reliability, and the prompt response by the flight crew likely prevented what could have been a tragic incident.
The Role of Technology in Preventing Collisions
Modern aircraft are equipped with advanced technology designed to prevent mid-air collisions. One of the key systems in place is the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which uses radar signals to detect nearby aircraft and alert pilots if they are in danger of colliding with another plane. This system is highly effective in reducing the risk of mid-air accidents, as it allows flight crews to take immediate corrective action when necessary.
In this case, both Delta and United Airlines’ planes were equipped with TCAS systems, which triggered alerts when the planes came too close to each other. The systems helped the flight crews take swift action, adjusting their flight paths to avoid a collision. However, it is important to note that while TCAS is a vital tool in preventing mid-air collisions, it is ultimately up to the flight crews and air traffic controllers to respond effectively to the warnings.
The FAA’s investigation will likely examine the effectiveness of the TCAS alerts, as well as whether any other technologies could have prevented the incident. Additionally, the FAA may look into whether there were any issues with the aircraft’s autopilot systems or with the air traffic control procedures that could have contributed to the near-miss.
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