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​FAA Launches Probe Into Airliners’ Near Miss in Phoenix

Jan 14, 2025 | Flying Magazine

The FAA has launched an investigation into a loss of separation between two commercial flights approaching Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX) to land Saturday. 

According to the agency, the “loss of required separation” occurred around 11 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 1724 and Delta Air Lines Flight 1070 were both on approach to land on Runway 8. “Both flight crews received onboard alerts that another aircraft was nearby. Air traffic control issued corrective instructions to both flight crews,” FAA said.

The United flight, a 737-900 traveling from San Francisco (KSFO) to Phoenix, was carrying 123 passengers and six crewmembers. “The pilots acted immediately and landed safely,” the carrier told FLYING in a statement.

The Delta flight was an Airbus A330-300 carrying 245 passengers. “As nothing is more important than safety, Delta flight crews extensively train to handle uncommon scenarios such as this and followed the resolution advisory as directed,” the airline said in a statement.

According to data obtained from Flightradar24, a flight tracking site, the aircraft were within around 1,200 feet laterally and 875 feet vertically.

“Prior to that, United was descending towards the airport above Delta and began climbing again…from a lowest altitude of 4,075 (feet),” Flightradar24 spokesperson Ian Petchenic said in an email to CNN on Tuesday. “At the time United began climbing again, the two aircraft were .793 miles apart laterally (and) 425 feet apart vertically.”

Sky Harbor International has three runways: North Runway, which is designated as 08/26 and measures 11,489 feet by 150 feet; Center Runway, which is designated as 7L/25R and measures 10,300 feet by 150 feet; and South Runway, which is designated as  7R/25L and measures 7,800 by 150 feet.

Both airlines are working with the FAA on the investigation.

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