Near Miss: Delta Jets' Alarms Sounded in Atlanta

A tense situation unfolded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a Delta jet performing a go-around during its landing sequence came dangerously close to a departing aircraft. Anti-collision alarms, known as resolution advisories, activated in the cockpits of both planes.

Delta flight 1568, arriving from Pittsburgh, had diverted to Chattanooga due to weather before attempting its second landing in Atlanta late Monday evening. As the pilot initiated a go-around, concerned about clearance from a plane already on the runway, air traffic control guided it onto a path that intersected with Delta flight 2472.

Flight 2472 had just taken off from a parallel runway. Both aircraft were instructed to turn right and climb to 4,000 feet, placing them in close proximity. At their nearest point, the planes were approximately 1,800 feet apart horizontally and 600 feet apart vertically, according to flight tracking data.

Delta Air Lines commented that its flight crew handled the unusual scenario according to established procedures, emphasizing their extensive training. The Federal Aviation Administration announced it has opened an investigation into the events of that evening.