In a heart-stopping incident high above Siberia, two commercial aircraft—an Air China Boeing 737 and an SF Airlines Boeing 757—narrowly avoided a catastrophic mid-air collision. The close call, which occurred at an altitude of 33,000 feet, has raised serious concerns about aviation safety and air traffic control protocols.
How the Near-Miss Unfolded
According to preliminary reports, both jets were operating on intersecting flight paths when air traffic controllers noticed the potential for collision. The Air China flight, en route from Chengdu to Moscow, and the SF Airlines cargo plane, travelling from Shenzhen to Moscow, came within just 20 vertical feet of each other—a terrifyingly small margin in aviation terms.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Russian aviation authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident. Early data suggests that a miscommunication between air traffic control and one of the aircraft may have contributed to the dangerous situation. Both planes were operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) at the time of the incident.
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
This near-miss comes at a time when global air travel is experiencing a rapid post-pandemic recovery, putting increased pressure on air traffic control systems worldwide. Aviation experts warn that such incidents, while rare, highlight the need for:
- Enhanced communication protocols
- Improved collision avoidance technology
- More rigorous pilot training
The incident has prompted calls for an urgent review of air traffic management procedures, particularly in busy international airspaces like Siberia's transcontinental routes.
