FAA investigates crash between two planes at JFK airport – NPR

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating Friday’s crash between two commercial airliners at JFK International Airport.

According to preliminary FAA reports, the Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort “approximately 1,000 feet” from where the American Airlines flight crossed the same runway in front of the Delta plane.

The close call happened around 8:45 p.m. local time when an American Airlines Boeing 777 was departing from an adjacent runway and air traffic controllers spotted the two approaching planes, the FAA said.

In audio Posted on Twitter by flight spotter @xJonNYCa panicked air traffic controller seems to realize the two planes are converging and tells the Delta plane, a Boeing 737, to stop.

“Delta 1943 has canceled flight plans. the man says. “Rejection,” replies one.

Another video appears to be a conversation between an air traffic controller and an American Airlines pilot.

“I think we’ll listen to the tapes, but you should have left runway 4,” says the air traffic controller. “You are currently saving less [runway] Remained 3-1″.

A Delta spokesperson said the safety of its customers and staff is the airline’s top priority.

“Delta will work and assist with aviation authorities in a complete review of the January 13, 1943 flight related to the New York-JFK abort procedure,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and travel delay.

According to Delta, there were 145 passengers and six crew members on the flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

After the near miss, the flight returned to the gate and was delayed overnight due to crew resources, the airline said. The clients were provided overnight accommodation and the flight departed the following morning.

American Airlines said it was deferring comment to the FAA.