2 Delta planes nearly collide at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - WSB-TV

What the report says

WSB-TV reported that the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a near-collision involving two Delta Air Lines aircraft late Monday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The incident involved Delta Flight 1568, which was arriving from Pittsburgh, and Delta Flight 2472, which was departing for Rochester, New York.

According to WSB-TV, citing air traffic control audio obtained by CNN and ABC News, the inbound Pittsburgh crew was on approach when the pilot noticed another aircraft on the runway and initiated a go-around. The Rochester-bound flight took off around the same time. In the recorded exchange, controllers issued urgent heading and altitude instructions as they worked to separate the two aircraft.

WSB-TV reported that the controller directed both planes away from each other. CNN, as cited by the station, reported the aircraft were at one point about 1,800 feet apart horizontally and 600 feet apart vertically. Delta said the Pittsburgh flight later landed safely and passengers left the aircraft normally.

Delta said it would cooperate with any FAA review and said safety is central to its operations. The airline said the Flight 1568 crew performed a go-around because of possible runway traffic and maneuvered under established procedures to maintain separation from other air traffic. The event is significant because Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the world’s busiest airports, where runway coordination and rapid pilot-controller communication are critical to preventing accidents.