FAA investigates close call between Delta and Cape Air planes at Boston Logan

Delta pilot: “That was close” after go-around ordered to avoid departing aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near-miss at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday involving a Delta Air Lines flight and a Cape Air aircraft.

According to the FAA, Delta Flight DL263, an Airbus A330-900neo registered N421DX arriving from Paris CDG and diverted to Boston due to weather in New York, was instructed to abort its landing on runway 04R and go around at about 16:15 after Cape Air Flight KAP548 to Bar Harbor operated by a Cessna 402C registered N663AA was cleared for takeoff from intersecting runway 15R.

As the Cessna 402 was crossing runway 04R, the separation from the A330-900 was about 1000 m.

Audio from LiveATC.net captured the tense exchange between the pilots:

“What the heck?” said the Cape Air pilot.
“That was close,” replied the Delta pilot.
“Yeah man, not cool,” the Cape Air pilot added.

Delta confirmed the crew followed procedures and landed safely on the second approach, with passengers deplaning normally. No injuries or damage were reported.

The incident comes amid growing strain on air traffic control staffing during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has left many controllers unpaid and led to an increase in sick calls, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.