Quick-thinking controller helps 2 planes with same flight number avoid possible disaster
Summary
An air traffic controller in Phoenix prevented a possible accident when two American Airlines planes flew with the same flight number at the same time. The controller used clear instructions and kept the planes at safe distances until they passed each other safely.Key Facts
- Two American Airlines planes both used flight number 2482 and were in the same airspace near Phoenix at the same time.
- One plane was arriving from Chicago while the other was departing from Phoenix.
- The air traffic controller quickly clarified which plane was arriving and which was departing to avoid confusion.
- The controller kept the arriving plane higher and directed the departing plane to stay lower to keep them safely separated.
- The arriving pilot praised the controller for handling the situation well.
- An aviation expert said the airline's dispatch center likely missed the overlap of these two flights with the same number.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines will investigate the cause of this error.
- Both the FAA and airline praised the professionalism of the controller and pilots for preventing an accident.
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