Authorities Investigating Close Call Between Alaska Airlines and FedEx Planes at Newark Airport

Federal agencies probing incident where commercial airliner had to perform go-around maneuver to avoid cargo plane on intersecting runway.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 6:18pm

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Federal aviation officials are investigating a close call between an Alaska Airlines passenger jet and a FedEx cargo plane at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday night. The Alaska Airlines flight was instructed to perform a go-around after being cleared to land, as the FedEx flight was also cleared to land on an intersecting runway. Both planes landed safely, but the incident is under review by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

Why it matters

Close calls between aircraft on intersecting runways are extremely dangerous situations that can lead to catastrophic mid-air collisions if not properly handled by air traffic control and pilots. This incident raises concerns about coordination and communication between air traffic controllers and pilots at one of the busiest airports in the New York City metropolitan area.

The details

According to reports, Alaska Airlines Flight 294 from Portland, Oregon was cleared to land at Newark Airport on Tuesday evening. However, air traffic control then instructed the Alaska Airlines pilots to perform a go-around maneuver, as FedEx Flight 721 from Memphis, Tennessee had also been cleared to land on an intersecting runway. Both planes landed safely following the incident, but federal transportation agencies are now investigating the close call to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any potential breakdowns in procedures that led to the dangerous situation.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 18, 2026 at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The players

Alaska Airlines

A major U.S. airline headquartered in Seattle, Washington that operates flights across the United States and to several international destinations.

FedEx

A leading global courier delivery services company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee that operates a large fleet of cargo aircraft.

Newark Liberty International Airport

A major international airport located in Newark, New Jersey that serves the New York City metropolitan area and is one of the busiest airports in the United States.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

An independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The primary aviation authority of the United States, responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

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What they’re saying

“The flight was cleared to land at Newark and air traffic control issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for.”

— Alaska Airlines

“Our flight crew followed instructions from air traffic control and landed safely.”

— FedEx

What’s next

The NTSB and FAA will continue their investigation into the incident, examining air traffic control communications, flight data, and other evidence to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any potential breakdowns in procedures that led to the close call between the two planes.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of robust coordination and communication between air traffic control and pilots, as well as the need for continued vigilance and safety protocols at major airports like Newark to prevent potentially catastrophic collisions, even as air traffic continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.