NTSB to Announce Safety Findings for FedEx-Southwest Near Miss in Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to hold a meeting on June 6th in Washington, D.C., to discuss the findings and safety recommendations from its investigation into a near miss involving a FedEx Express aircraft and a Southwest Airlines jet in Texas last year. This crucial meeting will include presentations from investigators and will culminate in a vote on the proposed findings, probable causes, and safety recommendations.
The incident under review occurred on February 4, 2023, when a FedEx 767 freighter, just 150 feet above the ground, narrowly avoided a collision with a Southwest Airlines jet at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The FedEx pilots had to abort their landing and take evasive action to avoid the Southwest jet, which was preparing for takeoff on the same runway. This close call prompted immediate communication between the crews, with the FedEx pilots advising the Southwest crew to abort their takeoff.
In addition to this near miss, the NTSB recently dispatched a team to Istanbul, Turkey, to assist in the investigation of a separate incident involving a FedEx Boeing 767-300 freighter. This aircraft, arriving from Paris, made an emergency landing at Istanbul airport after its front landing gear failed to deploy, resulting in the plane skidding to a stop on the runway.
The aircraft involved in the Istanbul incident, a decade-old Boeing 767, is one of 137 B767s operated by FedEx Express, the most of any aircraft in its fleet. Following the incident, this plane has been temporarily removed from service for repairs and investigation, though FedEx has assured that it has reserve planes to mitigate any impact on operations.
FedEx has expressed full cooperation with the ongoing investigations into both incidents. Fortunately, no crew members were injured during the emergency landing in Istanbul. Visuals from the scene showed the aircraft’s rear wheels touching down, followed by the fuselage, with visible sparks and smoke.
These incidents occur amid broader concerns regarding Boeing’s safety record, following notable issues with its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner models. However, Boeing has stated that manufacturers are not responsible for maintenance or other factors that could lead to malfunctions years after an aircraft is put into service.
Additionally, FedEx has been managing operational disruptions due to severe weather in the United States. Its global air hub in Memphis faced significant delays due to thunderstorms, while a tornado caused considerable damage to a FedEx Ground facility in Portage, Michigan. Despite these challenges, FedEx is making adjustments to minimize service impacts and has reported no serious injuries among its team members.
The upcoming NTSB meeting and the findings from these investigations are eagerly anticipated, as they will likely influence future safety protocols and operational standards within the aviation industry.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com