Newark, N.J. – A near-miss involving an Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo plane at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday evening has prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. Radar data indicates the two aircraft came within 300 to 325 feet of each other while attempting to land on intersecting runways, a situation that could have had catastrophic consequences. The incident underscores the complexities of air traffic control, particularly at a busy hub like Newark, and raises questions about procedures for managing simultaneous landings.
The close call occurred around 8:17 p.m. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as Alaska Airlines Flight 294, arriving from Portland, Oregon, and FedEx Flight 721, arriving from Memphis, Tennessee, were cleared to land. According to FlightRadar24 data, air traffic control instructed the Alaska Airlines pilots to abort their landing just seconds before touchdown, while the plane was only 150 feet above the ground. Simultaneously, the FedEx cargo plane continued its approach and landed on the intersecting runway.
The FAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a statement, the agency confirmed that the Alaska Airlines flight was instructed to perform a “go-around” due to the FedEx flight being cleared for final approach on an intersecting runway. Michael McCormick, a former vice president of the FAA, explained that managing intersecting runways presents a significant challenge for air traffic controllers, requiring precise timing. “It’s a challenge for a tower controller to try to get that timing perfect; it doesn’t always work, and that’s what happened in this case,” McCormick said. “The tower controller waited, and unfortunately, in my opinion, too long, and they had to send the aircraft on a go-around.”
A control tower is seen at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Monday, May 5, 2025.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
This incident follows another near-miss at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this month. On March 3, a Singapore Airlines plane clipped its wing with the tail of a parked Spirit Airlines plane, though in that instance, the planes were in an area not directly controlled by air traffic controllers. ABC7NY reported on the earlier incident, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of safety procedures at the airport.
Airline Statements and FAA Response
Both Alaska Airlines and FedEx have released statements regarding the incident. FedEx stated that its flight crew landed safely without incident, following instructions from air traffic control. Alaska Airlines confirmed that air traffic control issued a go-around instruction to Flight 294, a maneuver for which its pilots are highly trained. Both airlines indicated they are cooperating with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations.
The FAA considers “go-arounds” a routine safety procedure, designed to prevent potential collisions. Still, the close proximity of the two aircraft – preliminary data shows the Alaska Airlines plane cleared the FedEx plane by just 300 to 325 feet – raises concerns about the effectiveness of current protocols. The FAA investigation will likely focus on the timing of the go-around instruction and the communication between air traffic control and the pilots of both aircraft.
Broader Context: Staffing and Shutdown Concerns
The incident at Newark occurs against a backdrop of ongoing challenges within the federal aviation system. The partial government shutdown has contributed to staffing shortages for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), leading to longer security wait times at airports across the country. While the FAA has maintained essential safety personnel, the broader impact of the shutdown on the aviation industry remains a concern.
The FAA and NTSB investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks. The agencies will likely review radar data, air traffic control communications, and flight recorder information to determine the precise sequence of events and identify any contributing factors. The findings of these investigations could lead to changes in air traffic control procedures or infrastructure improvements at Newark Liberty International Airport and other busy aviation hubs.
As of Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2026, the FAA has not provided a timeline for the completion of its investigation. Updates will be released as they become available. Readers seeking more information about aviation safety can visit the FAA’s website at www.faa.gov.
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