A dramatic video captures the moment when planes from two major commercial airlines nearly collided mid-air over Syracuse, New York. The dash camera of a North Syracuse Police Department patrol car captured the mid-air collision early Monday morning, July 8. The near collision was caused by an apparent air traffic control error that allowed one plane to take off from Syracuse Hancock International Airport while another was allowed to land on the same runway. CBS News informed of.
Controllers initially allowed American Eagle Flight AA5511, a Bombardier CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airlines, to land on Runway 28. Moments later, they allowed another CRJ-700, Delta Connection DL5421 operated by Endeavor Air, to depart from the same runway.
The video shows the two planes coming from different directions and coming dangerously close to each other in the air near Syracuse Hancock Airport. According to the website FlightRadar24, the planes came within 700-1,000 feet of each other. The Delta flight had 76 passengers on board, while the American Airlines flight had 75 passengers on board. Fortunately, passengers on both planes were unharmed.
Watch the video here:
NEW: The FAA has launched an investigation after two planes nearly collided at Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York.
A commercial flight had to abort its landing when a plane taking off nearly collided with the plane.
The planes arrived within just a few minutes… pic.twitter.com/jW5pyqZCeM
— Colin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 10, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told NewsChannel 9 that “an air traffic controller instructed Blue Streak Flight 5511 to turn around to maintain a safe distance from an aircraft that was taking off from the same runway at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.”
A spokesperson for Syracuse Hancock International Airport said, “There were no disruptions to airport operations today.”
The FAA is conducting an investigation and will focus on how such a serious mistake occurred and ensuring enhanced safety protocols going forward.
In a statement to CBS News, Delta said, “Endeavor Air and Delta will work closely with aviation authorities, as we always do, in our shared commitment to keeping safety first.”
