A routine landing turned into a terrifying near disaster in seconds.
Two aircraft narrowly avoided a mid-air collision at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The incident involved an Alaska Airlines passenger plane and a FedEx cargo jet approaching intersecting runways.
Federal investigators are now examining how close the planes came to disaster.
What Happened in the Final Moments
The incident occurred around 8:17 pm as both planes prepared to land.
Alaska Airlines Flight 294 was descending toward Runway 22L, while FedEx Flight 721 approached Runway 29.
The two runways intersect, requiring precise timing by air traffic control.
At the last moment, controllers instructed the Alaska flight to abort its landing and “go around.”
Planes Came Within Seconds of Collision
Flight data shows the Alaska aircraft was only about 300 feet above the ground when the warning came.
The pilot immediately pulled up, climbing to around 325 feet.
The plane then flew directly over the FedEx aircraft, which was near the runway.
The quick action likely prevented a serious accident.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 captured the moment.
Experts Point to Timing Issue
Aviation experts say the situation highlights how difficult runway coordination can be.
Michael McCormick, a former FAA official, said the controller may have acted too late.
“It is a challenge to get that timing perfect,” he explained in comments reported by the New York Post.
The decision to order a go-around likely avoided a much worse outcome.
Federal Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations.
Officials will review air traffic control decisions, communication, and flight data.
Updates on aviation safety investigations can be found on the Federal Aviation Administration website.
Additional reporting on aviation incidents is available via NTSB.
Recent Aviation Incidents Raise Concerns
The near collision comes just weeks after another aircraft incident in the United States.
On March 3, a Singapore Airlines plane struck the tail of a parked Spirit Airlines aircraft.
While no major injuries were reported, such incidents are raising questions about air traffic safety.
Air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation, but close calls like this draw attention.
Passengers Spared a Disaster
Both aircraft landed safely after the Alaska flight made another approach.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
Passengers onboard were likely unaware of how close they came to danger.
For now, investigators will work to ensure that a near miss like this does not happen again.