Landing Flight Faces Sudden Delay As Plane Lifts off on Same Runway
American Airlines Flight 2246 had a near-miss with a scary situation.
Indeed, the flight from Boston to Virginia suddenly delayed its landing at Virginia’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Feb. 25 to avoid hitting another plane departing from the same runway.
“American Airlines flight 2246 landed safely and normally at DCA after it was instructed by Air Traffic Control to complete a standard go-around to allow another aircraft more time for takeoff,” the airline shared in a statement to E! News. “American has a no-fault go-around policy as a go-around is not an abnormal flight maneuver and can occur nearly every day in the National Airspace System.
The incident comes one month after another American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter in mid-air near that same airport, killing all 67 aboard both crafts. And though the cause of the crash has yet to be determined, the tragedy brought attention to faults within air traffic control communications.
But in this case, the airline made it clear that the maneuver was nothing but “a tool in both the pilot’s and air traffic controller’s toolbox to help maintain safe and efficient flight operations.”
American Airlines also stressed that “any assertion that flight 2246’s canceled approach was more than that is inaccurate.”
As for how the passengers felt during the unexpected maneuver? Given recent events—including the D.C. plane crash as well as another recent midair collision in Arizona—they were quite nervous.
“Obviously, because of the [Jan. 29] crash, I was wondering if I should look out for helicopters, then all of sudden this happened,” passenger Itai Ardi told The New York Times Feb. 25. “There was nothing gradual about it. It felt like the pilot had to make an emergency maneuver.”
And just 90 minutes before, a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a similar delay at Chicago’s Midway Airport after, per a statement from the F.A.A. obtained by The New York Times, “a business jet entered the runway without authorization.”
But similarly, the airline stated that the situation was completely under control and assured that actions were taken in an abundance of caution.
“The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident,” Southwest Airlines told CNN Feb. 25. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
Keep reading for all the details about last month’s devastating American Airlines crash.
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines' subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission became a recovery operation, with all 67 passengers in both aircraft being confirmed dead.
"Our hearts are with the victims’ families as they navigate this tragic loss," Washington, D.C., officials shared in a statement Feb. 4. “We extend our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time."
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation, is still putting the pieces together but said in an update that data from air traffic control showed the helicopter appeared to be higher than the 200-foot ceiling allowed for its route.
"This data showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision. the NTSB said in a Feb. 4 investigation update. "This data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet.”
Among the 60 passengers were 28 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships," the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts."
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, the sport's governing body confirmed.
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
"I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now as we speak," he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. "That's all I can pray for. I'm just praying to God."
Soon-to-be Howard University School of Law professor Kiah Duggins was also a passenger on the flight. The university shared that the civil rights attorney, who earned her J.D. from Havard Law School, was set to join Howard's faculty this fall.
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
The passengers onboard were identified as Capt. Rebecca Lobach, 28, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28.
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead. The Pentagon has also initiated its own investigation.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are "going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB."
As of Feb. 4, NTSB investigators are continuing to transcribe the cockpit voice recorders for both aircraft, they confirmed in an update. The NTSB, in collaboration with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving , are continuing to recover the wreckage from the Potomac River.
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport," the White House statement said. "May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."
Ilia Malinin, the men's figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, "I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK."
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their "hearts are heavy as a city."
"We mourn with all those who have been impacted," she said. "This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever."
Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan shared an emotional message to reporters about the crash that claimed the lives of six skaters from Skating Club of Boston, where the athlete also formerly trained.
"I just wanted to be here and be part of our community," Kerrigan said through tears. "When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow.”
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