Radar Reveals Near Collision Between Alaska Airlines 737 and FedEx 777 at Newark
FlightRadar24 radar data and air-traffic control audio show a close call at Newark Liberty International Airport on March 17. Around 8:17 p.m., an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 and a FedEx Boeing 777 came very close while landing on intersecting runways.
What happened
FlightRadar24 tracked the two arrivals. The Alaska Airlines flight came from Portland, Oregon. The FedEx jet arrived from Memphis, Tennessee.
Air-traffic control instructed the Alaska flight to go around seconds before touchdown. The Alaska jet was roughly 150 feet above the runway when controllers issued the command.
Separation and landing
Preliminary FlightRadar24 data shows lateral separation of about 300 to 325 feet between the two aircraft. The FedEx 777 continued and landed safely. The Alaska crew executed the go-around as ordered.
Flight numbers and responses
Alaska Airlines Flight 294 had been cleared to land. FedEx identified its jet as Flight 721 and said the crew followed air-traffic instructions.
Both carriers noted that authorities are handling further inquiries. The FAA and NTSB have been cited as investigating agencies.
Expert assessment and context
Former FAA vice president Michael McCormick pointed to intersecting runways as a core issue. He said timing on such runways is difficult and that, in his view, the tower delayed too long before issuing the go-around.
The FAA calls go-arounds a routine safety procedure. The agency is reviewing the event along with other investigators.
Related recent incidents
Two weeks earlier, on March 3, a Singapore Airlines plane clipped the tail of a parked Spirit Airlines aircraft. That event occurred in an area outside active tower control.
Operational factors
The incident unfolded amid a partial government shutdown. That shutdown has strained Transportation Security Administration staffing at some airports.
Longer security lines have been reported at several hubs during the same period.
Filmogaz.com reviewed FlightRadar24 data and air-traffic audio while compiling this report. Radar evidence confirms a near collision involving an Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 at Newark.
