American Airlines and United Planes Involved in Close Call at New York LaGuardia
**New York, NY — May 20, 2025** — A harrowing near-collision between an American Airlines Boeing 737 and a United Airlines Airbus A320 at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Monday morning has reignited concerns over air traffic control staffing and runway safety at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The incident, which occurred just after 9:15 a.m. during peak travel hours, saw the two commercial jets come within what preliminary reports describe as “dangerously close” proximity on an active runway. According to eyewitnesses and initial Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statements, the American Airlines flight, arriving from Chicago O’Hare (ORD), was instructed to hold short of Runway 13-31 while the United flight, departing for Denver (DEN), was given clearance for takeoff.
### **The Close Call**
Air traffic control recordings, reviewed by aviation authorities, reveal a tense exchange between controllers and pilots in the moments leading up to the incident.
*“American 1427, hold short Runway 31, traffic departing,”* instructed the tower.
*“Holding short, American 1427,”* the pilot acknowledged.
Seconds later, the United flight, operating as UA 886, was cleared for takeoff. However, as the Airbus A320 accelerated down the runway, the American Airlines jet, carrying 156 passengers and crew, unexpectedly began moving onto the active runway.
*“American 1427, stop immediately! United traffic on the roll!”* the controller shouted.
The American pilot quickly aborted the taxi, but not before the nose of the Boeing 737 had encroached onto the runway. The United jet, already at high speed, continued its takeoff, lifting off just as it passed the American aircraft. Preliminary radar data suggests the two planes were separated by less than 1,000 feet horizontally and just a few hundred feet vertically as the United flight climbed away.
### **Passenger and Crew Reactions**
Passengers aboard both flights reported feeling sudden movements but were unaware of the severity of the situation until after landing.
*“We felt the plane brake hard, and then the captain came on and said there was a ‘minor traffic issue,’”* said Mark Reynolds, a passenger on American 1427. *“It wasn’t until we saw news reports that we realized how close it was.”*
A United Airlines flight attendant, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the moment the pilots saw the American jet. *“The captain muttered something like, ‘Oh my God,’ and the first officer tightened his grip on the controls. We were already committed to takeoff—there was no stopping.”*
### **FAA and NTSB Investigations**
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to join the probe. Early findings suggest a possible miscommunication between air traffic control and the American Airlines crew, though human error, fatigue, or a misinterpretation of taxiway markings have not been ruled out.
LaGuardia, known for its tightly spaced runways and high traffic volume, has been the site of several close calls in recent years. In 2023, an FAA safety review highlighted staffing shortages at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which manages airspace for the region’s three major airports.
*“This is a symptom of a larger problem,”* said aviation safety expert Dr. Laura Chen. *“Air traffic controllers are overworked, and the margin for error at airports like LaGuardia is razor-thin.”*
### **Airline and Airport Responses**
Both American and United Airlines issued statements assuring passengers that safety remains their top priority.
*“We are cooperating fully with the FAA and NTSB to understand what occurred,”* an American Airlines spokesperson said.
United Airlines emphasized that its crew followed all procedures and that the flight continued safely to Denver.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, deferred comment to the FAA but noted that recent runway safety upgrades, including enhanced lighting and signage, were completed last year.
### **Broader Implications**
This latest incident adds to a growing list of near-misses across the U.S. aviation system. In 2024, the FAA reported over 300 runway incursions, a significant increase from previous years.
Congressional leaders have already called for hearings. *“This is unacceptable,”* said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. *“We need immediate action—more controllers, better technology, and stricter oversight.”*
### **What Happens Next?**
The FAA is expected to issue preliminary findings within 30 days. Meanwhile, LaGuardia operations continue, though some industry insiders suggest the incident could accelerate plans for additional air traffic control automation.
For now, passengers like Mark Reynolds are left shaken. *“You assume everything’s under control until something like this happens,”* he said. *“Makes you think twice about flying.”*
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*This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.