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There have been at least 19 separate instances in which airplanes nearly smashed into one another in the first 10 months of the year, according to a shocking report.
The staggering number of near-misses between January and October marks a dramatic increase in narrowly averted airline crashes — the most since 2016, according to Federal Aviation Administration data viewed by the Wall Street Journal.
The total number for the year is not yet known, but is expected to continue to climb.
Just weeks after the data was compiled, a landing airliner nearly collided with a departing plane in the stormy skies above Portland International Airport, coming within just 2,000 feet of one another.
Fortunately, frantic calls from an air traffic controller urged the descending plane to abort its landing in the nick of time, saving the lives of hundreds of passengers.
Such close calls are becoming increasingly more frequent, with officials theorizing the near misses could be chalked up to staffing issues in air traffic control towers.
Just days before the startling WSJ report, the FAA announced it was establishing a panel of experts — led by a former safety board official and sleep expert — to address air traffic controller fatigue after a series of near-miss incidents.
The three-member panel will begin work in January and “examine how the latest science on sleep needs and fatigue considerations could be applied to controller work requirements and scheduling.”
The FAA met its yearly goal of hiring 1,500 controllers for 2023, but is still about 3,000 controllers behind staffing targets — leaving most of its workers facing six-day work weeks.
The Empire State faces some of the most severe staffing shortages for air traffic controllers, with New York Terminal Radar Approach Control staffing at just 54% of recommended staffing.
The Big Apple kicked off 2023 with a nearly catastrophic collision that was averted thanks to the urgent calls of an air traffic controller.
Panic-stricken passengers screamed in horror as their Delta flight came within “split seconds” from crashing into an American Airlines plane crossing onto their runway.
Despite moving at 115 mph, Delta slammed on the brakes, stopping just 1,000 feet from the intruding plane.
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Barbara Terrio is a seasoned business journalist, delving into the world of finance, startups, and entrepreneurship. With a knack for demystifying complex economic trends, she helps readers navigate the business landscape. Outside of her reporting, Barbara is an advocate for financial literacy and enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.
