Two Boeing planes almost collided in the air. The closest distance was only 91 meters. Air traffic control admitted full responsibility.

According to US media reports,From 20:15 to 17:00 local time on March 17, 2026, a serious mid-air near-danger occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the United States.Alaska Airlines flight AS-294 (Boeing 737-9 MAX, registration number N738AL) and FedEx Express flight FX-721 (Boeing 777-200 freighter, registration number N853FD) were approved by air traffic control to land on intersecting runways 22L and 29 at the same time.

Both aircraft were in the short final approach phase. When the Alaska flight descended to an altitude of about 250 feet, air traffic control issued an emergency instruction to make a go-around. The crew performed a go-around procedure at an altitude of about 200 feet and flew over the landing FedEx cargo plane.ADS-B data shows that the closest vertical distance between the two aircraft is only 300 to 325 feet (about 91-99 meters).

After the go-around, the Alaska flight reestablished the instrument landing system approach and landed safely on runway 22L. The FedEx cargo plane landed normally on runway 29. The incident did not cause any casualties or damage to the aircraft.

Radar data and air traffic control call recordings show thatAlaska Airlines flight AS-294 was only 46 meters above the ground when it received the go-around order.

The FedEx cargo plane did not interrupt its landing, continued to descend and landed on the intersecting runway. The two planes arrived at Newark Airport about two minutes apart.

It is understood that the plane's near collision also coincided with the partial shutdown of the U.S. government. The government shutdown has led to staff shortages at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and extended security check wait times at airports across the United States.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the air traffic control command error and launched an investigation. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) took the lead in an in-depth investigation. Air traffic control has apologized to the Alaskan crew and made it clear that the responsibility lies entirely with the air traffic control department.