A Morning of Close Calls: Two Abortions and Rising Concerns
On Tuesday morning, the nation’s airspace saw two harrowing incidents as airplanes at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport and Chicago’s Midway International Airport were forced to abort landings to avoid potential collisions. These close calls occurred within a span of 90 minutes, raising fresh concerns about aviation safety less than a month after a deadly midair crash near National Airport.
American Airlines Flight 2246, en route from Boston to Washington, was in its final descent around 8:20 a.m. when air traffic controllers instructed the pilots to abort the landing. The plane rapidly climbed and accelerated away from the airport to avoid colliding with another aircraft preparing to take off from the same runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the abrupt maneuver was necessary to maintain separation between the arriving plane and the departing aircraft.
Similarly, around 8:50 a.m. Central Time, Southwest Airlines Flight 2504, traveling from Omaha to Chicago Midway International Airport, canceled its landing after a business jet entered the runway without authorization. The incident underscored the fragility of air traffic control systems and the potential for catastrophic outcomes when protocols are not followed.
A Passenger’s Perspective: Fear and Relief
Passengers on board American Airlines Flight 2246 experienced a mix of fear and relief as the plane aborted its landing. Itai Vardi, a Boston resident traveling to Washington for work meetings, recounted the ordeal. From his window seat, he watched as the plane descended toward the runway, only for it to make a sharp and rapid ascent without warning. The sudden maneuver left him overwhelmed with fear, wondering what was happening and how the situation would resolve.
Vardi, who was already nervous about flying due to the recent deadly crash near National Airport, described the incident as an emergency maneuver. “There was nothing gradual about it,” he said, adding that he had been on high alert for helicopters following the January 29 tragedy. Despite the turmoil, the plane eventually landed safely at National Airport, and no one was injured.
Southwest Airlines, in response to the Chicago incident, issued a statement confirming the event and emphasized that the crew had followed safety procedures, resulting in a safe landing. The airline did not elaborate further on the specifics of the incident.
The January 29 Crash and Lingering Concerns
Tuesday’s incidents occurred less than a month after the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2009. On January 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided above the Potomac River near National Airport, claiming the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash, which has brought aviation safety under intense scrutiny.
The recent spate of close calls and tragedies has highlighted ongoing challenges within the FAA. Concerns about understaffing and outdated systems have been exacerbated by recent layoffs at the agency, though air traffic controllers were spared from the cuts. The FAA is currently navigating a period of upheaval, with approximately 400 employees let go as part of a broader federal government restructuring under President Trump.
Despite these challenges, the FAA has maintained that safety remains its top priority. However, critics argue that the agency’s resources and infrastructure are inadequate to handle the growing demands of modern air travel. The collision in Washington and the near misses in Chicago have reignited calls for urgent reforms to improve airspace safety.
The FAA’s Struggles and the Road Ahead
The FAA is facing mounting pressure to address systemic issues within the nation’s airspace. In addition to the tragic crash in Washington and the recent aborted landings, two more deadly crashes—one in Philadelphia and another in Alaska—occurred within 10 days of the January 29 disaster. These incidents have prompted the Trump administration to pledge an overhaul of the FAA’s air traffic control systems.
President Trump has expressed interest in working with Congress to pass legislation that would modernize the country’s aviation safety infrastructure. In a bid to accelerate these efforts, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has enlisted the help of Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. SpaceX employees have already visited the FAA’s air traffic command center in Virginia, marking the beginning of an unprecedented collaboration.
While the involvement of private companies like SpaceX has sparked hope for innovation, many experts caution that the complexities of air traffic control cannot be solved overnight. They argue that the FAA must also address its staffing challenges and improve its protocols for managing high-risk situations, such as unauthorized runway incursions.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The events of Tuesday morning and the broader context of recent aviation incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for immediate and comprehensive reforms. As the FAA works to address its challenges, the collaboration with private entities like SpaceX offers a glimmer of hope. However, the agency must also prioritize transparency, accountability, and public trust to ensure the safety of the millions of passengers who rely on U.S. airspace every day.
The harrowing experiences of passengers like Itai Vardi and the