Audio captured the moment an incredibly calm female air traffic controller preventing a potentially catastrophic plane crash at Newark Airport earlier this week — by telling a pilot to “go around.”
The frightening near-miss unfolded when an Alaska Airlines jet and a FedEx cargo plane were trying to land at the same time on crossing runways Tuesday evening.
The composed air traffic controller could be heard over the radio instructing Alaska Airlines Flight 294, which was en route from Portland, Oregon, to abruptly abort its landing at the busy international airport to avoid colliding with FedEx Flight 721.
“294 go around,” the controller said, instructing the Alaska Airlines plane to change course and circle around for a new approach to land.
“FedEx 721 heavy left turn onto uniform for the end game contact ground point.”
Despite the overly calm audio, radar data shows the two planes coming disturbingly close to each during their landing approaches.
The ordeal unfolded after the FedEx flight, which was arriving from Memphis, Tennessee, was also cleared for a final approach to an intersecting runway.
The passenger plane ended up clearing the FedEx charter by as little as 300 feet — close to the length of the average American football field, according to data from FlightRadar24.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they are investigating the close call.
Reps for both Alaska Airlines and FedEx said their crews reacted as trained to allow both aircrafts to land safely.
There were 171 passengers and 6 crew members on board the Alaska flight at the time, according to the airline.
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