Uptick in Close-Call Incidents: A Pilot's Perspective

A commercial airline pilot has shed light on the recent surge in close-call incidents involving aircraft in the United States and what he believes needs to be done to address this issue.

Numbers Speak

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data shows a rise in close-call incidents. In fiscal year 2023, there were 1,583 such incidents, compared to 1,730 in fiscal year 2022.

Calls for Investigation

The House Oversight Committee sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on September 5, expressing concerns about these incidents and urging a thorough investigation.

Examples of Close-Calls

Here are a few recent examples:

1. JetBlue vs. Hop-A-Jet: A JetBlue plane came close to colliding with a Hop-A-Jet plane during landing at Boston's Logan International Airport. The Hop-A-Jet didn't follow instructions, leading to a near miss.
2. Allegiant Air vs. Private Jet: Allegiant Air Flight 485 had to take evasive action near Fort Lauderdale International Airport after receiving an alert about another aircraft at the same altitude. Passengers described the experience as unsettling.
3. FedEx vs. Southwest Airlines: In Austin, Texas, a FedEx flight and a Southwest Airlines flight came within 100 feet of each other. Quick actions by both pilots prevented a potential disaster.

Underlying Issues

According to Capt. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for American Airlines pilots, the U.S. air travel system is under significant pressure. Less experienced individuals are entering the industry, and staffing shortages are prevalent, both in airline management and air traffic control.

Expert Insights

Dr. Hassan Shahidi, CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, points out that staffing issues can lead to fatigue among pilots, affecting performance.

Voluntary Safety Reports

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has seen a surge in safety reports involving close calls. In the past 12 months, there have been 300 incidents involving commercial airlines. It's unclear whether this increase is due to more incidents or better reporting.

FAA's Response

The FAA emphasizes its commitment to reducing surface safety risks. They are actively working on implementing more technology to prevent close-call incidents.

While close-call incidents remain rare, addressing the underlying issues of staffing and training is essential to ensuring safety in the skies.