The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a serious incident at Boston Logan International Airport where a Delta Air Lines jet came within approximately 300 feet of an American Airlines plane, forcing the Delta flight to abort its landing. Aviation expert Todd Curtis, a former Boeing safety engineer, estimated the separation distance using Flightradar24 data and described the event as a significant incident.
Details of the Incident
The close call occurred on Saturday, March 8, 2025, when Delta Flight 2351 from Dallas was approaching Logan Airport. Simultaneously, an American Airlines aircraft was departing from an intersecting runway. The Delta crew executed a go-around—an aborted landing—to avoid a collision. The Delta plane carried 129 passengers and six crew members, all of whom landed safely and deplaned normally, according to an airline spokesperson.
The FAA confirmed the incident and stated that the Delta flight coordinated with air traffic control to perform the go-around. Go-arounds are considered routine safety procedures but are closely scrutinized in such close-proximity events.
Expert Analysis and Concerns
Todd Curtis, co-producer of a flight safety podcast, emphasized the severity of the near miss. “This is a significant incident,” he said, noting that it involved two professional airline crews. He added that federal officials have been increasingly concerned about runway incursions and will thoroughly review Saturday’s event.
Runway incursions and near-misses have been a growing focus for aviation authorities. The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation is scheduled to hold a hearing on Tuesday to address safety issues across the national airspace system. The hearing will explore ways to strengthen protocols and prevent such incidents.
Broader Context
This incident adds to a series of close calls at US airports in recent years, prompting heightened scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. The FAA has implemented new technologies and training programs to reduce runway incursions, but experts like Curtis argue that more systemic changes may be needed. The upcoming Capitol Hill hearing will likely examine both the Boston incident and overall airspace safety.
