The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun an investigation into a midair incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER and a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300.
According to the US aviation regulator, both aircraft were scheduled to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on January 11, 2025, within 23 minutes of each other.
On approach the United Airlines aircraft was assigned runway 07R and the Delta jet was given clearance to land on runway 08.
However, during their approach both flight crews were alerted by their respective onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as concerns grew surrounding the proximity of the aircraft
“United Airlines Flight 1724 and Delta Air Lines Flight 1070 landed safely after experiencing a loss of required separation when they were inbound to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Both flight crews received onboard alerts that the other aircraft was nearby,” the FAA said in a statement.
Another win for TCAS with a close call in Phoenix between a United 737 and Delta A330 over the weekend. https://t.co/nDbMBSISH3 pic.twitter.com/yH6fO1zlf4
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 14, 2025
Air traffic control based at Phoenix Sky Harbor issued corrective instructions to both flight crews.
Analysis by flightradar24 revealed that the A330 and 737 were on conflicting paths, requiring the United flight crew to climb and the Delta crew to descend.
According to flightradar24 at the time United began climbing the two aircraft were .793 miles apart laterally and 425 feet apart vertically.
The Delta flight, which arrived from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), eventually landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor at 11:08, while the United flight landed at 11:06 after departing San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
A spokesperson for United Airlines told Fox News that the pilots received “an automated flight deck warning to change their altitude” while preparing to land which they immediately responded to and landed safely.
A Delta spokesperson said: “As nothing is more important than safety, Delta flight crews extensively train to handle uncommon scenarios such as this and followed the resolution advisory as directed.”
All times are local unless otherwise noted.