According to the NTSB preliminary investigation, the air traffic controller cleared both flights to use the same runway for take-off and landing.
On March 16th, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary investigation report on the umpteenth near-miss over the past few months. The likely-avoided accident happened on February 16th at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). The aircraft involved an incoming American Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a departing Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321-200. According to the report, the American Airlines and Air Canada Rouge flights were both authorized to use the same runway for landing and taking off, respectively.
Sarasota (SRQ) radar revealed dynamics of the near-miss
On March 16th, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a preliminary report on the investigation into the near-missed happened on February 16th at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Florida. According to the initial report, the air traffic controller authorized the American Airlines and Air Canada Rouge aircraft to operate the airport’s runway 14.
The report reads that American Airlines flight AA 2172, operated by a six-year-old Boeing 737-823, was flying ten miles (16 km) north of Sarasota International when the cockpit crew started preparing for a visual approach for runway 14. At that point, the pilots of flight AA 2172 established communications with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) local controller (LC). Subsequently, the LC cleared flight AA 2172 to land on runway 14.
However, when the American Airlines Boeing 737 was on final flying at 3.12 miles (approximately 4 km) from runway 14, the same LC established communication with Air Canada Rouge fight RV 1633, asking the cockpit crew if they were ready for take-off. The crew of the seven-year-old Airbus A321 responded affirmatively.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
Seconds later, the local controller cleared Air Canada Rouge flight RV 1633 to take off from runway 14. The LC also informed the Air Canada Rouge pilots that an American Airlines Boeing 737 was on a three-mile final on the same runway. About 13 seconds later, the LC informed American Airlines flight AA 2172 of the Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 taking off from the same runway.
When the American Airlines Boeing 737 was on a 1.53-mile final, the Air Canada Rouge pilots asked the local controller to confirm the departure heading. About 53 seconds later, the American Airlines pilots informed the local controller that they were performing a pilot-initiated go-around. The Boeing 737 was instructed to perform a 270-degree heading to the right and contact the Tampa Departure Control for re-sequencing.
The planes came too close – even for a near-miss
According to the report released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the American Airlines Boeing 737 and the Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 came to a proximity of 3,000 ft (about 900 m) horizontally at approximately the same altitude of 100 ft (30 m). In recent close calls, this is the nearest two aircraft have come to each other.
Because of the seriousness of the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) formed an Air Traffic Control (ATC) group to investigate further. Among the parties of the investigative group, one finds the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
According to a first readout issued by the FAA, data should be further analyzed to uncover the causes and find practical solutions to aircraft on or near the same runway simultaneously. Additionally, the FAA addressed the industry to invest in new technology to support air traffic controllers tracking equipment on the ground.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying
Currently, the NTSB is investigating six recent runway incursions. Although FAA figures for 2023 show that the number of runway incursions was 27% and 8% lower than in the first and second quarters of 2022, respectively, it is of utmost importance to find solutions to prevent this potentially-fatal event from continuing to occur.
What do you think would be an effective measure to prevent near-miss from happening? Let us know by clicking on the comment button below!
Source: simpleflying.com
