Spirit Airlines Plane Nearly Collides with Air Force One
- On July 9,2019,a Spirit airlines flight made a dangerously close approach to Air Force One while President Donald Trump was traveling to the United Kingdom,prompting urgent warnings from...
- On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, Spirit Airlines Flight 1300, en route from Fort Lauderdale-Boston, came dangerously close to Air force One, the aircraft transporting President Donald Trump and...
- The incident occurred while Air Force One was flying over Long island, New York.
Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 Near-Miss with Air Force One
Table of Contents
On July 9,2019,a Spirit airlines flight made a dangerously close approach to Air Force One while President Donald Trump was traveling to the United Kingdom,prompting urgent warnings from air traffic control.
The Incident: A Close Encounter
On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, Spirit Airlines Flight 1300, en route from Fort Lauderdale-Boston, came dangerously close to Air force One, the aircraft transporting President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the United Kingdom (NBC News). Air traffic controllers issued repeated instructions to the Spirit Airlines pilot to alter course and maintain a safe distance from the presidential aircraft.
The incident occurred while Air Force One was flying over Long island, New York. Controllers directed Flight 1300 to “Turn 20 degrees right…immediately,” as documented in audio recordings released by LiveATC (LiveATC). Further instructions followed, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
air Traffic Control Response
The FAA confirmed that air traffic controllers took immediate action to prevent a collision. Controllers issued multiple warnings and instructions to the Spirit Airlines pilot, directing them to change altitude and heading. The FAA’s priority is to maintain safe separation between aircraft, especially when the presidential aircraft is involved (FAA).
The speedy thinking and decisive actions of the air traffic controllers were crucial in averting a possibly catastrophic event. The incident underscores the complex coordination required to manage airspace, particularly in densely populated areas like the New York metropolitan region.
Examination and Findings
The FAA launched an investigation into the near-miss to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Preliminary reports indicated that the Spirit Airlines pilot may not have properly read back instructions from air traffic control, leading to the close proximity (USA Today).
The investigation focused on reviewing radar data,communication recordings,and interviewing the involved pilots and air traffic controllers. The FAA’s findings were intended to identify any procedural or equipment failures that contributed to the incident.
| Aircraft | Flight Number | Route | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force One | N/A | Washington D.C.to United Kingdom | Boeing 74
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