• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near-miss incident between two planes at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
• Both Delta Flight 1070 and United Flight 1724 experienced warnings as they attempted to land simultaneously.
• No injuries were reported, and both aircraft landed safely after receiving corrective instructions from air traffic control.
• This incident follows a notable increase in runway incursion events across U.S. airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating a narrowly averted midair collision involving a Delta Airlines flight and a United Airlines flight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on January 11. At approximately 11 a.m. local time, both aircraft were cleared to land, but a collision warning was triggered in the cockpit of both planes. The Delta flight, carrying 245 passengers from Detroit, and the United flight, with 129 passengers from San Francisco, came alarmingly close, with vertical separation shrinking to just 425 feet and horizontal distance less than a quarter of a mile.

According to audio from the incident, air traffic control issued clearance for United Flight 1724 to land on Runway 7 while directing the Delta Flight 1070 towards Runway 8. Just moments later, pilots received a warning to 'descend' indicating a potential risk of collision. Thankfully, air traffic control managed to alert both crews in time, and both flights landed safely.

This close call falls within a troubling trend; runway incursions have seen a notable rise in recent years. According to FAA data, there were 1,757 incidents recorded in fiscal year 2024 alone, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. In response to persistent safety concerns, the FAA has increased air traffic controller training and held summits focused on addressing these issues.

In a statement regarding the incident, Delta Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety, noting, “As nothing is more important than safety, Delta flight crews extensively train to handle uncommon scenarios such as this.” Meanwhile, a representative from United Airlines confirmed the crew acted promptly following the automated warnings received and stated they are cooperating fully with the FAA investigation.

As the FAA evaluates the events leading to this near mishap, it serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by airlines and air traffic control to uphold safety and prevent such events from occurring in the future.

For more detailed coverage, visit BBC, CBS News, and The Independent.