FAA Investigates 300-Foot Runway Close Call at Boston Logan

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after a landing Delta Air Lines flight was forced to execute a last-second go-around to avoid a departing American Airlines jet at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Telemetry data indicates the two passenger planes came within 300 feet of each other at the intersection of two active runways on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:34 AM local time. Delta Flight 2351, an Airbus A319 arriving from Dallas-Fort Worth with 129 passengers and six crew members, was on final approach to Runway 33L. Simultaneously, air traffic controllers cleared American Airlines Flight 3161, a Boeing 737-800 bound for Charlotte, to depart from Runway 27, which intersects the landing runway.

As the Delta aircraft descended toward touchdown, the flight crew spotted the American jet accelerating across their path from the right. The Delta pilots immediately aborted the landing, initiated a steep climb, and announced over the radio, "Delta 2351 going around because of American."

The transmission triggered immediate confusion in the tower. A controller can be heard asking, "American 3161, where are you going?" The American pilot quickly responded, "You cleared us for takeoff 3161."

Following the maneuver, controllers instructed the Delta crew to maintain 3,000 feet before looping back to land safely 10 minutes later. Former Boeing safety engineer Todd Curtis evaluated flight-tracking data from Flightradar24, estimating that the two aircraft came within 300 feet of each other. Curtis called the near-miss a significant incident, expressing particular concern because it involved two professional airline crews.

Delta commended the quick actions of its flight crew, who responded to onboard traffic alerts. A spokesperson stated, "Delta aircraft are equipped with technology to warn crews of potential conflicts with other aircraft and our pilots train extensively to respond." American Airlines and the Massachusetts Port Authority referred all inquiries to the FAA.

The close call occurred just ahead of a Capitol Hill hearing on aviation safety. On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation convened to address the rising frequency of runway incursions. Investigators will now analyze flight data recorders and tower communication logs to determine why both aircraft received conflicting clearances.