An American Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing at Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport on Tuesday morning to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft, according to aviation officials.
The incident occurred at 8:20 a.m. as the American Airlines jet was making its final descent. The pilot observed another plane preparing for takeoff from the same runway and quickly executed a go-around maneuver—ascending back into the sky to prevent a possible accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement clarifying that the maneuver was performed to “ensure separation was maintained between this aircraft and a preceding departure from the same runway.”
American Airlines emphasized that the go-around was a standard procedure and that the flight ultimately “landed safely and normally at DCA after it was instructed by Air Traffic Control to complete a standard go-around to allow another aircraft more time for takeoff.”
The airline also noted that it has a “no-fault go-around policy,” explaining that such maneuvers occur frequently in the National Airspace System. “It’s a tool in both the pilot’s and air traffic controller’s toolbox to help maintain safe and efficient flight operations,” the company stated.
While go-arounds are a routine safety measure in aviation, the incident raises questions about runway coordination at one of the country’s busiest airports. As air traffic congestion increases, ensuring seamless communication between pilots and air traffic controllers remains crucial to avoiding potential mishaps.
Earlier this month, a Japan Airlines aircraft taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport collided with a parked Delta Air Lines plane. The incident took place at approximately 10:17 a.m. local time when the wing of the Japan Airlines plane struck the tail of the Delta aircraft. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
Following the collision, emergency response teams and airport personnel assisted in safely deplaning passengers. The impacted aircraft were removed from the taxiway to prevent disruptions. Airport officials stated that while the collision caused a temporary delay in operations, there were no major cancellations as a result. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for any potential changes to flight schedules.
