Overview
- JetBlue Flight 1256, which was approaching Fort Lauderdale on Monday, reported a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System warning and climbed to keep distance before landing safely.
- Flight tracking and radar data show the two planes passed about 500 feet vertically and roughly 1.6 miles horizontally of one another while required separation was maintained.
- The other aircraft was identified as a Beechcraft 76 registered to SunCity Aviation and the FAA says it was not in communications with air traffic control during the encounter.
- Air traffic control audio captured controllers warning other arrivals, nicknaming the smaller plane 'Mad Max,' and one controller saying, 'That guy's insane,' as they coordinated safe spacing.
- Investigators will review why the flight occurred in a visual flight rules training area where pilots sometimes fly without ATC contact, how TCAS and controller actions worked, and whether any procedural or regulatory changes are needed.