Introduction
On November 4th, 2019, a major close call occurred in the skies above Phoenix, Arizona that could have easily ended in disaster if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of a Southwest Airlines flight crew. Two planes, a FedEx Express cargo plane and a Southwest Airlines passenger jet, narrowly avoided a mid-air collision that could have had catastrophic consequences. In the end, the crew of the Southwest Airlines plane reacted in time to prevent the accident.
Southwest Airlines Dodges Disaster
The incident occurred when the Southwest Airlines Flight WN3617, from Las Vegas to Phoenix, had just begun its approach to land at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The plane had just been cleared by the air traffic controller to descend to 8,000 feet when the FedEx Express cargo plane, FLG6037, appeared in the flight path. Fortunately, the crew aboard the Southwest Airlines plane reacted quickly and maneuvered the aircraft out of the way of the oncoming plane.
Narrowly Avoiding a Collision with FedEx Plane
The Southwest Airlines plane flew beneath the FedEx Express plane, narrowly avoiding a collision. According to a recording of the incident made by the Federal Aviation Administration, the crew of the Southwest Airlines plane was able to veer the plane to the left of the FedEx Express plane, averting the potential disaster. The distance between the two planes was reported by the FAA as just 1,000 feet.
Flight Crew Reacts Quickly to Prevent Accident
The pilot of the Southwest Airlines flight is being praised for his quick thinking and skill in avoiding the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation into the incident and will be releasing a full report of the findings. The NTSB did not immediately comment on the cause of the incident, but the report is expected to be released in the near future.
Conclusion
The incident between the Southwest Airlines plane and the FedEx Express cargo plane could have been a tragedy but, fortunately, it was avoided due to the skill and swift actions of the flight crew. The National Transportation Safety Board is now conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident, but it is clear that the pilot of the Southwest Airlines flight is to be commended for his quick thinking and actions that prevented a disaster.
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