Planes in Near Miss at Newark Airport

Alaska Air and FedEx jets came dangerously close during landing procedures

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:30pm

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Two jets landing on crisscrossing runways at Newark Liberty International Airport got close enough on Tuesday night to trigger a federal investigation. An Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon was ordered to abort its landing after air traffic controllers had already cleared a FedEx Boeing 777 from Memphis, Tennessee to land on an intersecting runway.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing safety and operational challenges at Newark Airport, which has recently dealt with controller staffing issues and a minor ground collision. Near misses between aircraft can have catastrophic consequences, making this a serious aviation safety concern.

The details

Flight-tracking data estimates the planes passed within roughly 300 to 325 feet of each other. The Alaska pilots executed a "go-around" maneuver, while the FedEx crew continued their landing without incident. No injuries were reported, but both the FAA and NTSB are investigating the "close call".

  • The incident occurred around 8:15pm ET on Tuesday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Alaska Airlines Flight 294

A Boeing 737 passenger flight from Portland, Oregon to Newark Liberty International Airport.

FedEx Boeing 777

A cargo flight from Memphis, Tennessee to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Newark Liberty International Airport

A major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area, located in Newark, New Jersey.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation in the United States.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

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

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What’s next

The FAA and NTSB will continue their investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the close call between the two aircraft.

The takeaway

This near miss at Newark Airport underscores the critical importance of air traffic control coordination, runway safety, and ongoing infrastructure investment to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety, especially at busy hubs like Newark.