FAA probes air proximity incident between two passenger jets at New York JFK

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after two commercial aircraft came dangerously close while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The incident occurred on 20 April, when a Republic Airways Embraer E175 (reg. N133HQ) operating American Airlines flight AA4464 from Indianapolis deviated from its intended approach path and flew too close to another Embraer E175 aircraft (reg. C-FEJP) operated by Jazz Aviation as Air Canada Express flight AC8554 from Toronto Pearson, which had been cleared to land on a parallel runway.

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft came within approximately 350 feet vertically and less than one kilometre horizontally of each other at their closest point.

Both crews received onboard collision warnings and immediately carried out evasive manoeuvres, including go-arounds, following instructions from air traffic control.

The aircraft subsequently landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

The FAA said it is investigating the circumstances of the event, which is the latest in a series of recent close calls in US airspace, raising renewed scrutiny over aviation safety systems and procedures.