An American Airlines flight narrowly avoided a potential collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport this week, reigniting debates about air traffic control protocols and aviation safety. Flight 2246 from Boston aborted its landing after controllers ordered a go-around to prevent proximity to a departing aircraft – the latest in a string of high-profile incidents shaking public confidence.
According to the FAA, the Tuesday morning maneuver occurred as air traffic prioritized runway clearance for takeoff.
Go-arounds are standard safety tools used daily across the National Airspace System,American Airlines emphasized, defending their no-fault policy for such procedures. Southwest Airlines also reported a similar event at Chicago Midway just hours later, where Flight 2504 executed a precautionary climb to avoid a runway conflict.
These near misses unfold against a troubling backdrop:
- February 6: Alaska commuter plane crash kills 10
- January 26: Army helicopter collides with American Airlines flight near D.C. (67 fatalities)
- January 31: Philadelphia medical jet crash claims 7 lives
- February 17: Delta plane overturns at Toronto Pearson Airport
Experts argue these incidents expose systemic strain on aviation safety infrastructures.
Controllers manage over 45,000 daily flights with aging systems,notes former NTSB investigator Greg Feith. While the FAA stresses that 2023 saw zero U.S. commercial airline fatalities, Tuesday’s dual incidents at major hubs suggest mounting operational pressures.
For travelers, these events underscore the critical role of air traffic control vigilance. Airlines maintain that go-arounds demonstrate proactive safety cultures, but passenger advocacy groups demand faster modernization of radar systems and staffing reforms. As summer travel peaks, all eyes remain on how regulators and airlines will address these escalating flight emergencies.