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Close Call as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines Planes Nearly Collide at Washington, D.C.s Reagan National Airport

Published: 19 April 2024 at 14:20

Travel

A JetBlue flight and a Southwest Airlines plane nearly collided at Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport due to miscommunication with air traffic control, leading to JetBlue aborting takeoff to avoid the Southwest plane crossing the same runway. No injuries were reported, and both airlines are cooperating with the FAA's investigation. This incident adds to a series of near-collisions at American airports prompting concerns over operational errors and air traffic regulation.

DEEP DIVE


FAA Investigates Close Call Involving JetBlue Flight at Washington Reagan National Airport


The FAA is investigating a close call involving a JetBlue flight bound for Boston, which was forced to abort takeoff at Washington Reagan National Airport when another aircraft tried to cross the runway simultaneously. No injuries were reported, and both JetBlue and Southwest are cooperating with federal officials in the investigation.

Two JetBlue planes collide on the tarmac at Boston Logan International Airport, causing minor damage, no injuries reported


Two JetBlue planes collided on the tarmac at Boston Logan International Airport, causing minor damage to one aircraft's winglet and the other aircraft's tail section. No injuries were reported by passengers or crew members on either aircraft, and both planes will be taken out of service for repairs. The Federal Aviation Administration and JetBlue will investigate the incident to determine the cause. This is the third plane collision at Boston Logan Airport in the last year.

Southwest Airlines Flight Veers Off Course Near LaGuardia Airport


A Southwest Airlines flight from Nashville to New York veered off course due to bad weather, coming within 67 feet of LaGuardia Airport's air traffic control tower. The plane flew as low as 300 feet before being instructed to climb to 2,000 feet, diverting to Baltimore for a safe landing. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. This near miss is part of a larger pattern of close calls at US airports, highlighting issues like funding, technology, training conditions, and staffing in air traffic control towers.

American Airlines flight to Spain diverted to Boston due to cracked windshield


An American Airlines flight from New York to Spain was diverted to Boston's Logan International Airport after a cracked windshield was discovered mid-flight. The Boeing 777 departed from JFK Airport at 7:30 p.m. and landed safely in Boston around 10 p.m. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations and a replacement flight to Madrid the next day. The diversion was attributed to a maintenance issue, highlighting recent concerns over aircraft safety. The incident occurred amidst FAA's directive to Boeing to address quality problems and safety standards within 90 days following a recent panel blowout on a Boeing 737 Max jetliner.

Boeing 737-800 Plane's Engine Cover Falls Off During Flight to Houston


A Boeing 737-800 plane operated by Southwest Airlines returned safely to Denver International Airport after its engine cover fell off and struck a wing flap, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. This incident is part of a series of mechanical issues affecting Boeing aircraft in recent months, raising concerns about safety. Boeing declined to comment and referred inquiries to Southwest Airlines, which stated that passengers would be rebooked on another plane with a three-hour delay. No injuries were reported, and Southwest's maintenance teams will review the aircraft involved in the incident.

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines End Merger Agreement After Antitrust Lawsuit


JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines have decided to terminate their $3.8 billion merger agreement following a federal court ruling that blocked the deal due to antitrust concerns. The Justice Department sued to stop the merger, alleging it would harm competition in the airline industry and eliminate a low-cost option for travelers. Despite both companies believing in the benefits of the merger, they mutually agreed that meeting the required closing conditions before the deadline was unlikely. The court's decision and ongoing opposition from the Justice Department made the merger approval prospects extremely low.

Southwest Flight Returns to Denver Airport After Engine Cowling Falls Off During Takeoff


A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Houston had to return to Denver International Airport after the engine cowling on the Boeing aircraft fell off during takeoff, causing it to strike the wing flap. The plane, carrying 135 passengers and six crew members, landed safely with no injuries reported. The incident is being investigated by US airline regulators, and maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft. This is not the first recent incident involving Southwest Boeing engine issues, with other flights also experiencing engine problems and returning to the airport for investigation.

JetBlue Flight 191 (Wikipedia)


JetBlue Flight 191 was a scheduled domestic commercial passenger flight from New York to Las Vegas, United States. On March 27, 2012, the Airbus A320 serving the route diverted to Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, in Amarillo, Texas, after the captain, suffering from an apparent mental breakdown, started behaving erratically and making disturbing and incoherent statements, leading to the first officer tricking him into entering the cabin where he was restrained by staff and passengers. There were no fatalities.

Southwest Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Tampa After Injuries Due to Severe Turbulence


A Southwest Airlines flight from New Orleans to Orlando made an emergency landing in Tampa after encountering severe turbulence over the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in injuries to two passengers. The captain declared an emergency and requested medical assistance upon landing. Two individuals were taken to a Tampa Bay medical facility for treatment. The flight eventually reached its destination, Orlando International Airport, albeit four-and-a-half hours behind schedule due to the turbulence. Turbulence is caused by sudden shifts in airflow and can lead to severe disruptions during flights.

JetBlue Flight 292 (Wikipedia)


JetBlue Flight 292 was a scheduled flight from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. On September 21, 2005, Captain Scott Burke executed an emergency landing in the Airbus A320-232 at Los Angeles International Airport after the nose gear jammed in an abnormal position. No one was injured.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 (Wikipedia)


Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 was a scheduled passenger flight from Baltimore, Maryland, to Chicago, Illinois, continuing on to Salt Lake City, Utah, and then to Las Vegas, Nevada. On December 8, 2005, the airplane slid off a runway at Chicago-Midway while landing in a snowstorm and crashed into automobile traffic, killing a six-year-old boy.

Boeing Faces Fresh Safety Concerns After Series of Incidents


Boeing is under scrutiny for a recent string of safety problems, including a Dreamliner aircraft diving mid-flight, a Boeing 777-300 turning around due to maintenance issues, and a whistleblower, John Barnett, found dead. Multiple airlines have reported troubles due to Boeing's challenges, with Southwest Airlines cutting capacity and United Airlines changing its order to Max 9s instead of Max 10s. The FAA audit revealed Boeing failed to comply with quality-control mandates, adding to the company's existing safety concerns stemming from previous fatal crashes and production issues.

Boeing's Safety Concerns Addressed by Former FAA Administrator and American Airlines Captain


American Airlines Captain Dennis Tajer expresses concerns about the safety of Boeing aircraft, particularly the 737 Max, following recent incidents. Tajer, who has flown Boeing planes for over 30 years, highlights worries about internal safety issues. Despite these concerns, he trusts in pilot training and procedures for emergencies. Boeing's 737 Max faced scrutiny after fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Tajer appreciates FAA's scrutiny of Boeing's operations after recent safety incidents.

Federal Officials Investigate Engine Fire on Southwest Airlines Plane in Texas


Federal officials are investigating an engine fire that led to the cancellation of takeoff for a Southwest Airlines flight in Lubbock, Texas. The incident involved a Boeing 737-800 with engines made by CFM International. The flight, bound for Las Vegas, had 154 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. A replacement plane was flown in from Dallas to continue the journey. The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation into the reported engine fire.

United Airlines pilot seen replacing window before takeoff raises concerns


A mother on board a United Airlines flight from Dallas to Denver shared a video of the pilot struggling to replace a window, sparking worries about safety. United Airlines confirmed the window piece was cosmetic. This incident comes amidst a series of safety concerns on Boeing aircraft, including a Southwest Airlines flight where the engine cowling fell off mid-flight. Other incidents involved missing parts on United Airlines Boeing planes and a door flying off a Boeing 737 MAX. The safety of these aircraft has been under scrutiny due to manufacturing errors and missing bolts.

Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 (Wikipedia)


Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 was a scheduled flight of Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) from Sacramento to San Diego with a Stopover at Los Angeles. On September 25, 1978, the Boeing 727-214 serving the flight, registration of N533PS, collided with a private Cessna 172 light aircraft, registration N7711G, over San Diego, California. It was Pacific Southwest Airlines' first fatal accident, and it remains the deadliest air disaster in California history. At the time, it was the deadliest air crash to occur in the United States, and remained so until American Airlines Flight 191 crashed in May 1979.Both aircraft crashed into North Park, a San Diego neighborhood. PSA 182 struck just north of the intersection of Dwight and Nile streets, killing all 135 people aboard the aircraft and seven people on the ground in houses, including two children. The Cessna struck Polk Avenue between 32nd and Iowa streets, killing the two pilots on board. Nine others on the ground were injured and a total of twenty-two residences were destroyed or damaged by the impact and debris.

JetBlue flight attendant incident (Wikipedia)


The JetBlue flight attendant incident occurred after JetBlue Airways Flight 1052, from Pittsburgh to New York City on August 9, 2010, had landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Steven Slater, a veteran flight attendant announced over the plane's public address system that he had been abused by a passenger and was quitting his job. He then grabbed and guzzled two beers and exited the plane by deploying the evacuation slide and sliding down it. Slater claimed to have been injured by a passenger when he instructed her to sit down. His account of the event was not corroborated by others who claimed he hip-checked the woman.

US Department of Transportation to Review Airlines' Handling of Passenger Information


The US Department of Transportation announced a review of the 10 largest US airlines to ensure they are protecting passengers' personal information and not improperly monetizing or sharing it with third parties. This review will focus on collection, handling, and use of customer information, including complaints of mishandling. Airlines like Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Allegiant will be scrutinized. The review aims to protect consumer privacy, with concerns raised about data sharing by agencies like the FTC. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg emphasized the importance of safeguarding sensitive passenger data.

2022 Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis (Wikipedia)


In December 2022, Southwest Airlines, a major U.S. airline, and the third largest by domestic passenger volume, canceled more flights than usual, including more than 60% of its flights on two days. The crisis spanned December 21–30, at the peak of the holiday travel season, and is referred to in the news media as the Southwest Airlines holiday travel meltdown or simply as the holiday meltdown, a name also used by the Southwest Airlines pilot's union and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The disruption to operations was described by Seeking Alpha as the most costly and largest in the history of U.S. airlines. More than 15,000 flights were canceled throughout the crisis.On December 18, 2023, Southwest was fined $140 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation, surpassing the highest previous fine in the agency's history by a factor of about 30. As of that date, Southwest had paid about $600M in reimbursement to passengers, and reported losses of $1.1 billion to over $1.2B as a result of the events.

Boeing's Challenges Impact Southwest Airlines Operations in 2024


Boeing informed Southwest Airlines of a reduced delivery of Max 8 planes in 2024, causing Southwest to adjust flight schedules and pause hiring. Southwest expects a capacity reduction and a financial impact, with Southwest's stock falling over 8% premarket. Boeing faces government investigations and scrutiny for safety and manufacturing quality issues, leading to halted production expansion of the Max model. Multiple U.S. carriers, including United Airlines, have experienced disruptions due to Boeing's challenges.

JetBlue Ending Service to Kansas City and Other Cities Due to Route Reorganization and Financial Challenges


JetBlue is ending service to and from Kansas City, as well as several other cities, as part of a broader route reorganization following a federal judge's rejection of its merger with Spirit Airlines. The New York-based carrier also plans to trim routes out of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airline has faced financial struggles post-pandemic, expecting maintenance issues with some Airbus planes. JetBlue's unsuccessful merger attempts and legal battles have led to significant route cuts with a focus on stronger markets like the East Coast and Caribbean.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 (Wikipedia)


Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 was a Boeing 737-700 that experienced a contained engine failure in the left CFM56-7B engine after departing from New York–LaGuardia Airport en route to Dallas Love Field on April 17, 2018. The engine cowl was broken in the failure and cowl fragments damaged the fuselage, shattering a cabin window and causing explosive depressurization of the aircraft. Other fragments caused damage to the wing. The crew carried out an emergency descent and diverted to Philadelphia International Airport. One passenger was partially ejected from the aircraft and sustained fatal injuries, while eight other passengers sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.This accident was very similar to an accident suffered 20 months earlier by Southwest Airlines Flight 3472 flying the same aircraft type with the same engine type. After that earlier accident, the engine manufacturer, CFM, issued a service directive calling for ultrasonic inspections of the turbine fan blades with certain serial numbers, service cycles, or service time. Southwest did not perform the inspection on the engine involved in this failure because it was not within the parameters specified by the directive.

Boeing Delays Impacting Airlines' Operations


United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are facing operational challenges and delays due to production limits imposed on Boeing after an incident with an Alaska Airlines plane, leading to a pause in pilot hiring and rethinking of schedules; Southwest Airlines will receive fewer 737 Max 8 aircraft than initially planned, impacting seat availability and capital spending plans, while United Airlines has also halted pilot hiring temporarily. Both carriers are offering unpaid time off options to manage excess staffing amidst these challenges.

JetBlue (Wikipedia)


JetBlue Airways, legally known as JetBlue Airways Corporation and commonly stylized as jetBlue, is a major United States low-cost airline headquartered in the Long Island City neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. It also maintains corporate offices in Utah and Florida.JetBlue operates over 1,000 flights daily and serves 100 domestic and international network destinations in the Americas and Europe. The airline operates out of six hubs, with its primary being New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. JetBlue has codeshare agreements with member airlines of Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, however having no affiliation to the alliances. The airline attempted to merge with Spirit Airlines in July 2022, but it was blocked in federal court. It officially ended its attempt to take over Spirit in March 2024, following a ruling by a federal judge that the move would reduce competition.

JetBlue stock jumps as activist investor Carl Icahn buys 10% stake in the airline


Shares of JetBlue Airways rose after activist investor Carl Icahn purchased a 10% stake in the company, believing that the stock is undervalued. JetBlue's stock has been on a downward trend over the past year, but Icahn's investment has caused a boost in investor confidence. The airline recently had its proposed $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines blocked by a federal judge, citing anticompetitive harm. JetBlue is now focused on finding alternative growth strategies under the leadership of CEO Joanna Geraghty.

Federal Aviation Administration (Wikipedia)


The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a U.S. federal government agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation which regulates civil aviation in the United States and surrounding international waters.: 12, 16  Its powers include air traffic control, certification of personnel and aircraft, setting standards for airports, and protection of U.S. assets during the launch or re-entry of commercial space vehicles, powers over neighboring international waters were delegated to the FAA by authority of the International Civil Aviation Organization.The FAA was created in August 1958 (1958-08) as the Federal Aviation Agency, replacing the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA). In 1967 the FAA became part of the newly formed U.S. Department of Transportation and was renamed the Federal Aviation Administration.

United Airlines thinks you're a fool if you fly Southwest


Funny? Or Not so much? Southwest Airlines . Such a terrible company. Honestly, do these people even know what they're doing? All those smiling flight attendants cover up a chasm of failure. Are they even aware of what's really going on? Southwest's passengers are suffering so much that perhaps they just don't have the energy to express how unhappy they are. What? You thought this was all my opinion? How could you? No, these seem to be the feelings of the suddenly descending-into-humor cohorts at United Airlines .

Southwest Airlines had a great new idea for customers (then it ruined things)


A touch desperate? I have no strong feelings about Southwest Airlines . Well, no strong negative feelings. Anymore. Yes, the airline once unfairly left me behind at LAX, but I've forgiven it. Mostly.

SOURCES

AP News

FAA investigating after it says a flight told to cross a runway where another was starting takeoff

AP News

NBC

JetBlue and Southwest planes nearly collide on Washington, D.C., airport runway

NBC

Washington Post

FAA investigating near miss at Reagan National Airport

Washington Post

ABC News

FAA investigating flight told to cross a runway where another was starting takeoff

ABC News

Yahoo! News

Collision narrowly avoided at Reagan National Airport after two jets were cleared onto the same runway

Yahoo! News

PANORA

FAA Investigates Close Call Involving JetBlue Flight at Washington Reagan National Airport

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Two JetBlue planes collide on the tarmac at Boston Logan International Airport, causing minor damage, no injuries reported

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Southwest Airlines Flight Veers Off Course Near LaGuardia Airport

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American Airlines flight to Spain diverted to Boston due to cracked windshield

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Boeing 737-800 Plane's Engine Cover Falls Off During Flight to Houston

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JetBlue and Spirit Airlines End Merger Agreement After Antitrust Lawsuit

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Southwest Flight Returns to Denver Airport After Engine Cowling Falls Off During Takeoff

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Wikipedia

JetBlue Flight 191

Wikipedia

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Southwest Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Tampa After Injuries Due to Severe Turbulence

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Wikipedia

JetBlue Flight 292

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Southwest Airlines Flight 1248

Wikipedia

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Boeing Faces Fresh Safety Concerns After Series of Incidents

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Boeing's Safety Concerns Addressed by Former FAA Administrator and American Airlines Captain

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Federal Officials Investigate Engine Fire on Southwest Airlines Plane in Texas

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United Airlines pilot seen replacing window before takeoff raises concerns

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Wikipedia

Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

JetBlue flight attendant incident

Wikipedia

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US Department of Transportation to Review Airlines' Handling of Passenger Information

PANORA

Wikipedia

2022 Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis

Wikipedia

PANORA

Boeing's Challenges Impact Southwest Airlines Operations in 2024

PANORA

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JetBlue Ending Service to Kansas City and Other Cities Due to Route Reorganization and Financial Challenges

PANORA

Wikipedia

Southwest Airlines Flight 1380

Wikipedia

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Boeing Delays Impacting Airlines' Operations

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Wikipedia

JetBlue

Wikipedia

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JetBlue stock jumps as activist investor Carl Icahn buys 10% stake in the airline

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Wikipedia

Federal Aviation Administration

Wikipedia

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United Airlines thinks you're a fool if you fly Southwest

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Southwest Airlines had a great new idea for customers (then it ruined things)

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