Overview
- A Delta Air Lines A319 aborted its landing at Boston Logan and climbed away after the crew reported “going around because of American” when an American 737 was cleared for takeoff on an intersecting runway on Saturday, June 20.
- Air-traffic control audio and transcripts captured the Delta pilot's go-around call and a tower controller asking the American crew “where are you going” after clearing them for takeoff, suggesting the controller may have lost situational awareness of the clearance.
- Independent flight-tracking analysis estimated the two jets passed within roughly 300 feet of each other, a proximity aviation experts called significant for two professional airliner crews.
- The FAA has opened an investigation; Delta and American have deferred detailed comment to the agency while confirming the Delta crew followed procedures and that all 129 passengers and six crew deplaned safely with no injuries.
- The incident will feed into a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on runway incursions and highlights recurring concerns about U.S. ATC practices that allow provisional clearances based on “reasonable assurance,” plus questions about staffing and legacy technology.