Close Call Involving American Airlines Near Austin, Texas: A Growing Safety Concern
The skies over Austin, Texas, have seen an alarming number of near-miss incidents recently, raising concerns about aviation safety in the region. The latest close call, involving an American Airlines flight and a small Cessna 182 aircraft, underscores the urgency of addressing air traffic control challenges at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). As Austin continues to experience record passenger traffic, particularly around major events such as the recent Formula 1 race, these incidents are drawing increasing scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local lawmakers.
The Incident: American Airlines Narrowly Avoids Collision
On Wednesday morning, October 18, 2023, an American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 122 passengers and six crew members was on its final approach to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The flight, coming from Chicago, had to take evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision with a Cessna 182 that had unexpectedly entered its flight path. According to the FAA, the two planes came within 350 feet of each other vertically and less than 800 feet horizontally, a distance that aviation experts deem perilously close in airspace terms.
The American Airlines pilots received an alert from the aircraft’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), prompting them to take immediate corrective action. In air traffic control audio obtained by various news outlets, one of the American Airlines pilots can be heard describing the near-miss situation, stating, “We saw him when he flashed us and flew right into us.” The sudden maneuver caused the Boeing 737 to come dangerously close to a third aircraft, a small private jet, forcing air traffic controllers to issue immediate corrective instructions to all parties involved.
Safety Protocols and Technology: TCAS to the Rescue
The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) played a crucial role in averting what could have been a catastrophic mid-air collision. TCAS is designed to automatically detect potential mid-air collisions by analyzing the proximity and trajectory of nearby aircraft. If the system detects an imminent collision, it issues a “Resolution Advisory” (RA), instructing pilots on how to adjust their altitude to avoid the other aircraft.
In this case, the American Airlines pilots reacted swiftly to the TCAS RA, climbing to a higher altitude to avoid the Cessna. Ian Petchenik, communications director for Flightradar24, explained that TCAS is “the aircraft yelling at you to do something now or you’re going to crash into something.” This sophisticated technology, combined with the expertise of the pilots, ensured that all planes involved in the incident landed safely.
While the TCAS system functioned as intended, aviation experts are quick to point out that these near-misses should never occur in the first place, especially when aircraft are under the guidance of air traffic controllers.
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Why Are These Incidents Happening More Frequently Near Austin?
The recent American Airlines near-miss is not an isolated event. Over the past year, Austin’s airspace has seen multiple incidents involving commercial and smaller aircraft. Last February, a FedEx cargo plane narrowly avoided colliding with a Southwest Airlines flight on the runway at AUS, an incident that occurred in foggy conditions. These close calls raise questions about whether Austin’s air traffic control system is fully equipped to handle the increasing volume of flights.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, serving millions of passengers each year. Major events, like the Formula 1 race weekend, can cause a significant spike in traffic, both in the air and on the ground. On peak travel days, such as the Monday after the F1 races, AUS often sees record-breaking passenger numbers, as was the case last year when it recorded its busiest day ever.
Despite this surge in traffic, the air traffic control tower at AUS is facing a staffing shortage, which has been flagged by local Congressman Lloyd Doggett. By the end of this year, AUS will have only 29 air traffic controllers, which is below the national average for a major airport. Congressman Doggett has expressed concerns about this shortage, calling for more investment in both human resources and advanced technology to ensure the safety of all flights entering and leaving Austin’s airspace.
FAA Investigation: What’s Next?
The FAA is currently investigating the American Airlines incident and will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. Although the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, the FAA has stated that the Cessna 182 was not in communication with Austin’s air traffic control tower at the time of the near-collision. Had the Cessna been in contact with controllers, it could have received instructions to avoid entering the flight path of the American Airlines flight.
The FAA’s investigation will likely focus on why the Cessna was flying without communication and how air traffic controllers handled the situation. Additionally, this incident could trigger further scrutiny from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), especially given the pattern of close calls in Austin airspace.
In response to these incidents, the FAA has already announced an audit of runway incursion risks at the nation’s 45 busiest airports, including AUS. This audit aims to identify gaps in procedures, equipment, and processes to improve safety. While runway incursions have decreased overall, the FAA acknowledges that “even one incident is one too many.”
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Potential Solutions: What Can Be Done to Improve Safety?
With Austin-Bergstrom International Airport growing rapidly and facing increased pressure during major events, several steps can be taken to improve aviation safety and prevent future incidents.
- Increased Staffing for Air Traffic Control
Congressman Lloyd Doggett has pointed out the staffing shortages at AUS, which may contribute to the frequency of near-miss incidents. Ensuring that air traffic control towers are adequately staffed with experienced controllers is essential to managing the growing volume of flights in and out of Austin. This may require federal funding and a reevaluation of how air traffic controllers are trained and assigned to busy airports. - Improved Communication Systems
In both the February incident involving FedEx and Southwest and the most recent American Airlines close call, communication issues played a significant role. In the American Airlines case, the Cessna was not in contact with air traffic control, which led to the near-miss. Ensuring that all aircraft, especially smaller planes, are in continuous communication with controllers is critical for maintaining safety. - Advanced Technology and Training
While the TCAS system effectively averted disaster in the latest incident, additional technology and training could further enhance safety. Earlier this year, AUS received an advanced air traffic control tower simulator system to help train controllers in handling complex situations. However, as Congressman Doggett noted, this simulator was not operational for months. Ensuring that all safety technology is functional and properly utilized is vital for preventing future close calls.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
As the skies over Austin, Texas, become increasingly crowded, the safety of passengers and crew must remain the top priority. The recent American Airlines near-collision highlights the need for more robust air traffic control systems, better communication protocols, and increased staffing. While advanced technologies like TCAS play a critical role in preventing accidents, proactive measures must be taken to address the root causes of these incidents.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a crucial hub for both domestic and international travel, and maintaining its safety record is essential for the future growth of the city and its aviation industry. By addressing these safety concerns head-on, the FAA, NTSB, and local lawmakers can ensure that close calls like the one involving American Airlines become a thing of the past.
