U.S. officials are investigating a close call involving Air Canada Rouge and American Airlines planes at Florida's Sarasota Bradenton International airport.
CTV News reports that according to the FAA, an air traffic controller at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Florida cleared an Air Canada Rouge flight for takeoff on February 16, after already clearing an American Airlines crew to land on the same runway.
"After the controller advised the American flight crew that Air Canada was departing, the American flight crew discontinued their landing," the FAA said in a statement to CTVNews.ca.
"The FAA estimates the aircraft were approximately 3,100 feet (945 metres) apart when the American jet began its climb-out."
Both the FAA and U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
"The American Airlines crew self-initiated a go-around," the National Transportation Safety Board added in a March 6 statement. "A preliminary report expected in 2-3 weeks."
In a statement to CTVNews.ca Tuesday, an American Airlines spokesperson said the company is co-operating with investigators.
Air Canada and Canadian transportation officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Air Canada Rouge flight was bound for Toronto while the AA flight was arriving from Charlotte.
The incident is part of a disturbing trend in the early months of 2023. At least seven near-misses have been recorded at U.S. airports so far this year. In one incident in Austin, Texas, A Southwest Airlines plane and a Fedex cargo plane came within a startling 100 feet of collision, far too close for comfort.
The issue has taken a central role in Washington hearings reviewing President Biden's choice for a new FAA leader, Denver Airport CEO Phil Washington.
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