A significant aviation safety event is currently under investigation in the United States after an Alaska Airlines passenger jet and a FedEx cargo aircraft narrowly avoided a collision while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport on the evening of March 17, 2026. According to radar data and authorities' reports, the two aircraft passed within approximately 300 to 325 feet of each other during their approach on intersecting runways.
Alaska Airlines Flight 294, a Boeing 737 originating from Portland, Oregon, was about to land when air traffic control instructed the pilots to abort their approach and execute a go-around. Simultaneously, FedEx Flight 721, a Boeing 777 cargo aircraft coming from Memphis, Tennessee, was on its final approach on a crossing runway.
Details of the Incident
Preliminary data indicates the Alaska Airlines jet was flying at about 150 feet altitude when controllers issued the last-minute command to climb, enabling the aircraft to safely pass over the FedEx jet, which continued its descent. There were 171 passengers and six crew members onboard the Alaska Airlines flight, but no injuries were reported as both crews adhered to instructions.
The FAA and NTSB have initiated investigations, with early findings pointing to the complex operational environment associated with managing intersecting runways, emphasizing the importance of precise timing between incoming flights. Further conclusions are anticipated in upcoming weeks as the agencies scrutinize operational procedures, controller responses, and safety protocols.
