“Too close”: Air Canada plane involved in close-call incident at New York’s JFK

U.S. aviation authorities are looking into a close call at New York’s JFK Airport after an American Airlines–operated jet came dangerously near an Air Canada plane on Monday afternoon (April 20).

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the incident happened around 2:35 p.m. when Republic Airways Flight 4464, flying for American Airlines, went off its intended approach and got too close to Jazz Aviation Flight 554.

“The crew of Republic Airways Flight 4464 performed a go-around at John F. Kennedy International Airport after missing the intended approach path and flying too close to Jazz Aviation Flight 554, which was cleared to land on a parallel runway,” the FAA said in a statement.

The Air Canada Express flight had departed from Toronto, while the American Airlines flight originated in Indianapolis, CTV News reports.

Both aircraft received onboard collision warnings, prompting their crews to take immediate evasive action.

At their closest point, the planes were separated by roughly 107 metres vertically and about 998 metres horizontally.

Air traffic control audio captured the tense exchange, with controllers directing the Air Canada crew to climb and warning them about nearby traffic, while also alerting the American Airlines flight to aircraft in close proximity. The Republic Airways pilot reportedly acknowledged the situation and initiated a go-around.

Flight data shows both planes executed go-arounds before ultimately landing safely at the airport.

The FAA confirmed that both crews followed safety procedures, and no injuries were reported.

The incident is under investigation.

The close call comes just months after an Air Canada flight crashed into a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.