Mid-air close call between American Airlines 737 and Cessna in Austin
- An American Airlines 737 and a Cessna 182 nearly collided, coming within approximately 350 feet of each other near Austin airport.
- The American flight, carrying 122 passengers and 6 crew, was on approach from Chicago when it received a Traffic Collision Avoidance System advisory.
- As a result of the incident, all three aircraft involved landed safely, highlighting the importance of air traffic control and pilot coordination.
On October 16, 2024, a significant mid-air close call occurred in the United States involving an American Airlines 737 and a Cessna 182 near Austin airport. The incident took place as American Flight 2587 was on its approach to land from Chicago, carrying 122 passengers and 6 crew members. Approximately 350 feet separated the two aircraft, which was alarming considering the proximity. Pilots of the American flight reported seeing the Cessna during the encounter, acknowledging that they responded to an alert from their Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). This advisory is designed to prevent collisions by instructing pilots on how to maneuver their aircraft in response to nearby traffic. Unfortunately, the American Airlines pilots inadvertently turned toward another plane, a small private jet, which exacerbated the situation and prompted air traffic control to urgently direct that aircraft to change its course. The quick actions of air traffic controllers were crucial in ensuring the safety of all involved. After the close call, American Flight 2587 successfully completed a go-around before landing safely at Austin airport shortly thereafter. This incident comes amidst heightened scrutiny of air traffic management processes, especially following recent runway incursions at various airports. The FAA's ongoing audit of runway safety procedures is expected to address these occurrences and improve future safety measures in aviation.