Near Collision Averted at Syracuse Airport Involving Two CRJ-900 Aircraft

Syracuse, NY – On July 8th, 2024, a potentially catastrophic incident was narrowly avoided at Syracuse Hancock International Airport when two Canadair CRJ-900 aircraft, one operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines and the other by Endeavor Air on behalf of Delta Airlines, came perilously close to colliding during departure and go-around procedures.

Incident Overview

The PSA Airlines CRJ-900, registered N555NN, was performing flight AA-5511 from Washington National Airport, D.C., to Syracuse, NY. The aircraft was on final approach to runway 28 and had received clearance to land from the tower.

Simultaneously, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900, registered N927XJ and operating as flight DL-5421 from Syracuse to New York LaGuardia, was cleared for takeoff from the same runway just moments after AA-5511 had been cleared to land.

Recognizing the potential conflict, the flight crew of AA-5511 queried the tower about the clearance for takeoff. In response, the tower quickly instructed AA-5511 to perform a go-around, an instruction that the crew executed promptly. Both aircraft initiated climb-out procedures, but the proximity of the two planes led to a significant reduction in separation, creating a near-miss situation.

Near-Collision Details

During the critical moments after the go-around instruction, the vertical separation between the two aircraft reduced to 800 feet, with a horizontal separation of just 0.11 nautical miles (about 650 feet) as they passed over the end of the runway. As the aircraft continued on diverging paths, the separation briefly decreased further to 600 feet vertically and 0.08 nautical miles (about 480 feet) horizontally before finally increasing to 300 feet vertically and 0.26 nautical miles (about 1,370 feet) horizontally as they moved further away from the runway.

Safety and Procedural Implications

This incident underscores the importance of precise and timely communication between air traffic control (ATC) and flight crews, especially during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. The quick response by the flight crew of AA-5511, following the tower’s go-around instruction, was crucial in avoiding a mid-air collision.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will likely conduct a thorough investigation to understand how the clearance for takeoff was given so closely after the landing clearance for AA-5511. The investigation may lead to a review of ATC procedures at Syracuse Hancock International Airport and could result in additional training or changes in protocol to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The near collision at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on July 8th, 2024, highlights the complexities and potential dangers inherent in air traffic management, particularly in situations where multiple aircraft are operating in close proximity during critical phases of flight. Thanks to the quick thinking and professional handling by the flight crews and ATC, a disaster was averted, and both aircraft continued safely on their respective paths.

As the aviation community awaits the findings of the FAA’s investigation, this incident serves as a reminder of the need for constant vigilance, clear communication, and adherence to established procedures to ensure the safety of all air traffic.