A near-miss between a FedEx 777 and Alaska Airlines 737 at Newark Airport has launched an NTSB investigation, spotlighting the persistent dangers of crossing runway operations in America’s busiest airspace.
The evening of March 18, 2026, at Newark Liberty International Airport brought a heart-stopping moment for air traffic controllers and pilots alike. Two large commercial jets—a FedEx Boeing 777 and an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737—came perilously close to a mid-air collision while both were being sequenced for landing on intersecting runways. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the incident, which was averted only by a split-second decision from an air traffic controller.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the conflict occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. when an air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 to execute a go-around maneuver. The controller’s directive came because FedEx Flight 721 had already been cleared for its final approach to a runway that crosses the path of Alaska’s intended landing strip [Reuters]. Without that instruction, the two aircraft would have converged at the runway intersection with potentially catastrophic results.
The fact that both jets were being cleared for landing on crossing runways immediately underscores a known vulnerability in airport surface management. Runway intersections create a complex geometry where a single misjudgment in timing or clearance can lead to a loss of separation. While the FAA’s standard procedures are designed to prevent such conflicts, this incident reveals how quickly a safe sequence can deteriorate into a high-risk scenario, especially at a congested hub like Newark.
The NTSB’s involvement is automatic for any incident involving a loss of separation that could have led to a collision. Investigators will reconstruct the final minutes of both flights, reviewing air traffic control audio, radar tracks, and the crews’ adherence to instructions. Key questions include: Why was FedEx cleared for an intersecting approach while Alaska was already on final? Were there any communication delays or misunderstandings? Did any runway status lighting or automated warning systems fail to activate?
Newark’s physical layout compounds these challenges. The airport has multiple runways that intersect at various points, requiring air traffic controllers to constantly manage crossing paths during peak arrival periods. This incident serves as a reminder that even with advanced radar and procedural safeguards, human judgment and precise coordination remain critical linchpins in preventing runway incursions.
While no injuries or aircraft damage were reported, the psychological impact on the flight crews and controllers cannot be overlooked. A go-around at such a late stage is a high-stress maneuver, and the realization of a near-collision may have lasting effects on those involved. The NTSB often highlights fatigue, workload, and situational awareness as contributing factors in similar events, though the specific causes in this case are yet to be determined.
From a systemic perspective, this event will likely fuel ongoing debates about the adequacy of current runway safety technologies. Many major U.S. airports have installed Runway Status Lights—a system of red lights that warn pilots of an occupied or intersecting runway—but their deployment is not universal. Whether Newark’s configuration had such systems active at the time, and whether they functioned correctly, will be a focus of the investigation.
The FAA’s initial statement confirms that the controller’s go-around order followed established protocol. However, the underlying sequence that created the conflict points to a potential gap in how crossing runway clearances are coordinated during high-traffic periods. If the NTSB finds procedural shortcomings, the repercussions could extend beyond Newark to similar airports with intersecting runways across the country.
For now, the flying public can take some reassurance in the fact that the system worked well enough to prevent disaster. But that reliance on last-minute intervention is not a sustainable safety margin. The NTSB’s final report will almost certainly recommend enhancements—whether in training, technology, or procedural adjustments—to ensure that such a close call never escalates into a tragedy.
The skies above America’s busiest airports are among the safest in the world, but they are not foolproof. This Newark near-miss is a stark reminder that vigilance, technology, and procedural rigor must constantly evolve to match growing air traffic complexity. The investigation’s findings will be pivotal in shaping the next generation of runway safety protocols.
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