In a chilling incident that has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet came perilously close to colliding with a smaller aircraft while approaching Boston's Logan International Airport, newly released audio recordings reveal.
A Heart-Stopping Moment at 5,000 Feet
The near-disaster occurred when Delta Flight 362, an Airbus A321 carrying passengers from Cancún, Mexico, found itself on a collision course with a Cape Air Cessna 402 at approximately 5,000 feet above Massachusetts. According to air traffic control transcripts, the two aircraft came within a mere 700 feet of each other - a dangerously close proximity that triggered urgent warnings in both cockpits.
"Traffic! Traffic! Climb! Climb now!" blared the automated collision avoidance system in the Delta jet, while the Cessna received equally urgent instructions to descend immediately.
Air Traffic Control's Rapid Response
The tense exchange between pilots and air traffic controllers captures the critical moments when the potential catastrophe was narrowly avoided. Controllers at Boston's approach facility can be heard urgently directing both aircraft to change altitude, their voices reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Delta 362, traffic alert, climb and maintain 6,000," the controller instructed, before immediately telling the Cape Air flight: "Cessna 1092C, traffic alert, descend immediately, maintain 4,000."
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed it is investigating the 10 February incident, which occurred in broad daylight under visual flight rules conditions. Aviation safety experts have expressed serious concern about the incident, noting that the 700-foot separation falls well below the required minimum standards for aircraft operating in controlled airspace.
"This was far too close for comfort," said one aviation safety analyst. "When you have commercial airliners and smaller aircraft operating in the same airspace, even small deviations from assigned altitudes can have catastrophic consequences."
Pattern of Concern in US Skies
This incident adds to growing concerns about aviation safety in the United States, coming just months after several other high-profile near-miss events at major airports across the country. The National Transportation Safety Board has previously flagged "runway incursions" and airspace conflicts as areas requiring urgent attention.
Both Delta Air Lines and Cape Air have stated they are fully cooperating with the investigation. Passengers aboard the Delta flight reportedly remained unaware of the gravity of the situation until after landing.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex coordination required to keep our skies safe, and the potentially devastating consequences when that coordination momentarily fails.
