An American Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Tuesday.
The Airbus A319, arriving from Boston, abruptly aborted its landing just before 8:30 a.m. when an air traffic controller ordered a “go-around” to prevent a clash with another plane taking off from the same runway, CBS News reported.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials said the controller acted quickly to maintain a safe distance between Flight 2246 and the departing aircraft.
American Airlines called the manoeuvre a “standard procedure,” insisting there was no immediate danger.
However, the scare comes just weeks after a January 13 disaster involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near the airport.
All 67 people aboard both aircraft died when they collided midair and crashed into the Potomac River.
Tuesday’s incident has reignited concerns about air traffic control practices and runway safety at Reagan National, one of the U.S.’s most congested airports.
The FAA is reviewing the latest near-miss.