American Airlines Flight Abort Landing to Avoid Collision at Reagan National Airport.

On Tuesday morning, a dramatic close call at Reagan Washington National Airport nearly resulted in a mid-air collision when an American Airlines flight from Boston was forced to abort its landing just minutes before it could touch down. This incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. and raised alarms for both passengers and aviation authorities alike.

The Incident: A Close Call

American Airlines Flight 2246, originating from Logan International Airport in Boston, had just begun its final approach when air traffic controllers detected an issue with the separation between planes on the same runway. As a result, the pilot was instructed to perform a “go-around,” a maneuver that allows planes to climb back into the air and circle while waiting for a safe opportunity to land.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the events in a statement to Boston 25 News. "The air traffic controller instructed the Boston flight to perform a go-around to ensure separation was maintained between this aircraft and a preceding departure," the FAA said.

Passengers Recount the Terrifying Moment

Passenger Itai Vardi, a Massachusetts resident, described the terrifying moment when the plane suddenly ascended after it seemed to be on final approach. "It was scary as we were approaching landing, over the Potomac, I could see the runway. I heard the wheels coming down, and then suddenly the plane accelerated going up," Vardi recalled.

He added, "A minute later, the pilot got on the speaker and said, ‘Another plane was approaching, so we had to change course abruptly, and out of an abundance of caution, we had to re-route.’”

Vardi, who described his unease following recent events involving aviation safety, pointed out, “Given what happened at DCA a few weeks ago, and the Trump cuts to the FAA, flying is making me uneasy.”

A Routine But Crucial Maneuver

The FAA explained that a go-around is a standard and safe procedure when there are concerns about maintaining proper separation between aircraft. This maneuver, which can be requested by air traffic controllers or initiated by pilots, involves discontinuing the approach and returning to an appropriate altitude to safely reset and make another landing attempt.

The go-around is a safety measure designed to avoid accidents, but in this case, the incident raised questions about air traffic control and safety protocols at busy airports like Reagan National, especially when similar near-misses are being reported in other locations.

A Second Close Call: Southwest Flight in Chicago

Just minutes after the American Airlines go-around in Washington, another similar incident took place at Chicago's Midway International Airport. At 8:48 a.m., a Southwest Airlines flight was also forced to perform a go-around after a private plane entered its runway. While the incidents were separate, they highlighted the challenges facing aviation safety, particularly in highly congested airports.

The Bigger Picture: Aviation Safety in the Spotlight

This recent event comes on the heels of growing concerns about air travel safety, particularly after a series of near-miss incidents at major airports in the U.S. Just a few weeks prior, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional American Airlines flight that was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, underscoring the potential dangers of air traffic congestion and miscommunication between flight crews and air traffic control.

Additionally, many aviation experts have raised concerns about the impact of funding cuts to the FAA, which could affect critical air traffic control services. Vardi himself pointed to these concerns, mentioning the "Trump cuts to the FAA" as a contributing factor to his unease about flying.

While the FAA has reassured the public that go-arounds are routine and crucial for preventing collisions, the frequency of these close calls is prompting increased scrutiny on air traffic management. Passengers, pilots, and air traffic controllers must all work together to ensure that safety remains the top priority, especially at busy airports like Reagan National and Chicago Midway.

American Airlines Plane and Helicopter Collide Near Reagan National Airport