Delta A330 and United 737 Narrowly Avoid Collision in Phoenix
FAA Investigates Near-Collision Between Delta and United Jets at Phoenix Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into a significant near-collision involving two passenger jets at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The incident raised alarms about air traffic safety as Delta Air Lines Flight DL1070 from Detroit and United Airlines Flight UA1724 from San Francisco, carrying a total of 374 passengers, faced a critical situation during their landing approaches.
Delta and United Jets Come Alarmingly Close
At approximately 11 a.m. local time, both aircraft received simultaneous collision warnings, highlighting the gravity of the situation. According to flight data from Flightradar24, the vertical separation between the planes decreased to a mere 425 feet, while the horizontal distance closed to less than a quarter mile in mere seconds.
Air traffic control recordings obtained by CBS News captured the sequence of events leading up to the near-miss. Initially, controllers had cleared the United Boeing 737 to land on Runway 7 right while instructing the Delta Airbus A330 to prepare for landing on Runway 8. The situation escalated when automated collision warnings activated in both cockpits, prompting urgent “descend, descend” commands.
Thanks to the swift intervention of air traffic control, corrective instructions were issued, allowing both aircraft to execute safe landings. The Delta flight was carrying 245 passengers, while the United flight transported 129.
The Growing Concern of Near-Collisions
This incident is part of a troubling trend of near-collisions in U.S. airspace. In December 2024, a similar event occurred at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when Delta Flight DL471 initiated its takeoff while a Key Lime Air charter crossed an active runway. Quick action from air traffic control averted a potential disaster as the aircraft were nearing critical takeoff speeds between 150 and 180 miles per hour.
Another alarming incident took place at Boston Logan International Airport on October 27, 2024. Delta Flight DL59 from London Heathrow executed an emergency go-around maneuver to avoid a collision with a departing aircraft. The FAA confirmed that this safety procedure was successfully performed, thus maintaining operational safety.
Ensuring Air Traffic Safety
The recent incidents, including the near-collision at Phoenix Sky Harbor, underscore the urgent need for enhanced runway management and aircraft separation protocols. With the rise in air travel, ensuring the safety of passengers has never been more critical.
For more information on air traffic safety measures, you can visit the FAA’s official website or read about related topics on airline safety trends.
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What are your thoughts on the recent near-collision incidents involving commercial airlines? We invite you to share your insights in the comments below and explore our related articles for further information on aviation safety and air traffic management.
