An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a Cessna 182 came within 400 feet of each other in a Wednesday “near-miss” incident. The Federal Aviation Administration says it is investigating after the American jet was forced to deviate from its approach into Austin’s Bergstrom International Airport to avoid the single-engine aircraft.
Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft passing just 400 feet from each other. The Cessna was not in contact with the Austin approach controller, operating under Visual Flight Rules.
The American 737 was operating flight 2587 from Chicago; the controller was vectoring the aircraft for its final approach into Austin. As the jet was lining up for runway 36L at 1,700 feet, the Cessna 182 turned directly into its final approach course.
The crew of an American Airlines 737 responded to a TCAS alert after a Cessna 182 turned directly into the American flight’s approach path to Austin on 16 Oct. The two aircraft were only separated by 400 feet as the 737 passed almost directly over the Cessna. Watch and listen: pic.twitter.com/w1NMRvyJFo
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 18, 2024
“A Cessna R182, operating under Visual Flight Rules, unexpectedly entered the flight path of American Airlines Flight 2587, which was approaching Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” an FAA spokesperson said in a statement.
Air traffic control recordings indicate the 737’s crew was alerted to the nearing traffic through the aircraft’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and responded accordingly. Speaking to the controller, one of the American pilots said, “We saw him when he flashed us and flew right into us.”
The maneuver resulted in a loss of separation with another Cirrus SF50 aircraft.
“The crew of the American aircraft received an onboard alert and adjusted its flight path, which resulted in a temporary loss of separation with a nearby Cirrus SF50. Air traffic control issued corrective instructions to the American aircraft and the Cirrus SF50. The three aircraft landed safely,” the agency added.
The controller asked the crew if they’d like to report a “near-miss” following the incident, per CBS News.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the airline told CBS, “American Airlines flight 2587 landed safely at AUS after completing a go-around. We thank our crew members for their professionalism and expertise and for always prioritizing safety above all else.”
