Panic as Delta Flight Forced to Make Snap Decision to Avoid Collision in Boston

A Delta flight carrying 129 passengers was forced to suddenly abandon its landing at Boston Logan International Airport after another plane began taking off from a crossing runway, triggering a tense close-call that is now under federal investigation.

The frightening moment unfolded around 11:30 a.m. Saturday as Delta Air Lines Flight 2351 was descending into Boston after a trip from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Delta crew performed a go-around after another aircraft started departing from an intersecting runway. The maneuver prevented a potentially dangerous situation at one of the busiest airports in the country.

The FAA said it is now investigating the incident.

A go-around is considered a standard safety maneuver, but for passengers already bracing for touchdown, the sudden climb back into the air can be jarring. The decision can be made by either pilots or air traffic controllers when there is any concern about landing safely.

Delta said the flight crew followed procedures while coordinating with air traffic control. The airline also confirmed that the plane’s onboard systems alerted the flight deck to “potential traffic” during the approach.

Delta aircraft are equipped with technology designed to warn pilots about possible conflicts with other planes, and the airline said its crews are trained extensively for those situations.

There were 129 passengers and six crew members on board the flight at the time.

Despite the terrifying close call, the aircraft later landed safely in Boston, and passengers got off the plane normally, according to Delta.

“Nothing is more important than safety,” the airline said, emphasizing that the crew acted appropriately during the incident.

The exact distance between the two aircraft has not yet been released.

The Boston scare came on the same day as another alarming aviation incident, this time involving two Southwest Airlines planes in Nashville.

Around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, two Southwest aircraft were forced to take evasive action after their flight paths came dangerously close to overlapping near Nashville International Airport.

According to air traffic audio posted by LiveATC.net, both Southwest pilots told the controller that their collision avoidance systems had activated. One plane climbed while the other descended to avoid a possible midair collision.

Flight tracking data showed the two planes came within about 500 feet of each other, with one passing directly above the other, according to FlightRadar24. Investigators will determine the official distance after reviewing the incident.

The situation reportedly began after strong, gusty winds forced one Southwest pilot to abort a landing and circle back for another attempt. The plane was then directed into the path of another Southwest aircraft that had just taken off.

By the time the controller tried to keep the departing aircraft below 2,000 feet, the pilot said the plane was already above that altitude.

Southwest spokesperson Lynn Lunsford said both pilots followed air traffic control instructions and responded to their aircraft’s collision avoidance systems.

“Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its pilots and flight crews in responding to the event,” Lunsford said. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”

The FAA is investigating both incidents.