NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — An Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo aircraft had a near-collision incident while approaching intersecting runways for landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, as indicated by FlightRadar24 radar data.
This occurrence took place approximately 8:17 p.m. on Tuesday. The Alaska flight was inbound from Portland, Oregon, and the FedEx aircraft from Memphis, Tennessee, the data revealed.
Just moments before touchdown, with the aircraft only 150 feet above the ground, air traffic control instructed the Alaska plane to perform a go-around, based on air traffic control audio and FlightRadar24 data. Concurrently, the FedEx plane proceeded with its landing on the intersecting runway.
Initial Flightradar24 data indicates that the Alaska aircraft passed the FedEx aircraft with a vertical separation of only 300 to 325 feet.
A control tower stands at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., pictured Monday, May 5, 2025.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
According to the former FAA vice president, the problem on Tuesday stemmed from the airport’s intersecting runways.
“It’s difficult for a tower controller to perfectly time such situations; it doesn’t always succeed, and that’s what occurred here. The tower controller, regrettably in my view, waited too long, necessitating a go-around for the aircraft,” Michael McCormick stated.
This event follows another incident two weeks prior, on March 3, when a Singapore Airlines aircraft’s wing struck the tail of a stationary Spirit Airlines plane.
In the earlier incident, the aircraft were located in an area of the airport not managed by air traffic controllers.
The FAA characterizes go-arounds as a “standard safety measure” and has initiated an investigation.
Both Alaska Airlines and FedEx issued official statements on Thursday afternoon.
FedEx stated, “In compliance with air traffic control directives, the crew of FedEx flight 721 successfully landed at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday without incident. Additional inquiries should be directed to the FAA.”
Alaska Airlines’ statement read: “On Tuesday, March 17, Alaska Airlines Flight 294 received clearance to land at Newark Liberty International Airport. Air traffic control subsequently issued a go-around instruction, a maneuver our pilots are extensively trained to execute. We acknowledge that the FAA and NTSB are conducting investigations, and any additional details will originate from those bodies.”
The event on Tuesday occurred during a partial government shutdown, which has resulted in notable staff reductions for the Transportation Security Administration and increased security screening delays at several airports.
(This report includes contributions from ABC News.)
———-
* Receive Eyewitness News Updates
* Additional New Jersey Headlines
* Install the abc7NY app for instant breaking news notifications
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Share a news tip or story concept with Eyewitness News
Do you have breaking news to report or a story idea for us to investigate? Submit it to Eyewitness News via the form provided below. Please note that terms of use apply if you include a video or photo.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.