American Airlines Flight Aborts Landing to Avoid Collision with Departing Aircraft at Washington National
An American Airlines flight from Boston had to change its landing approach at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport because air traffic control instructed the pilots to perform a go-around. This was done to ensure the flight stayed away from another plane taking off from the same runway. The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. on a Tuesday. Similarly, just hours later, another flight at Chicago’s Midway Airport had to climb back into the air to prevent a possible collision with an aircraft on the runway. The Southwest Airlines flight, which was coming from Omaha, was able to land safely after also executing a go-around.
American Airlines reported that their flight eventually landed safely at National Airport after following protocol to allow more time for the other aircraft’s departure. The airline emphasized that go-arounds are a regular part of flying and not considered unusual. They described this maneuver as a necessary safety practice that both pilots and air traffic controllers can use to keep flights running smoothly and safely.
Experts in aviation explain that it is not unusual for pilots to need to perform a go-around during flights. There can be several reasons for this, such as bad weather conditions, an unexpected delay in landing, or even wildlife on the runway. Pilots often carry out these maneuvers without alarming passengers, especially if they are at a higher altitude as they approach the runway.
Robert Joslin, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, pointed out that go-arounds happen more frequently than most people realize and are not solely about avoiding collisions. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly 4 out of every 1,000 flights arriving at the busiest 30 airports in the U.S. required a go-around in the last fiscal year. With around 45,000 flights taking off and landing daily, this indicates that go-arounds are a common occurrence.
Pilots are trained to perform go-arounds, and they anticipate the need for this maneuver, especially when flying in challenging weather conditions with low visibility. Various factors can lead to a pilot deciding to abort a landing, like approaching too quickly or not aligning correctly with the runway. Additionally, situations can arise where another aircraft is mistakenly cleared to occupy the runway.
Joslin noted that these decisions can involve numerous factors. It could be a pilot-related issue, a mistake made by air traffic control, a weather-related decision, or even the presence of animals. Each situation may have its own unique cause.
Recently, there have been several serious aviation incidents in North America, sparking concern about airline safety. Among these were a commuter plane crash in Alaska that resulted in the deaths of ten people, and a midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight that claimed 67 lives. Moreover, a medical jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing everyone onboard, and a Delta Airlines flight experienced a dramatic accident, flipping onto its roof in Toronto, injuring 21 passengers.
In conclusion, go-arounds are a vital safety measure in aviation and happen more often than people may think. Pilots are well-prepared for these scenarios, ensuring that air travel remains as safe and efficient as possible.
