BOSTON– The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation following a close-call incident at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday involving a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight and a Cape Air (9K) aircraft, where DL’s pilot had to perform a go-around.
Delta Flight 263, an Airbus A330-900neo traveling from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), was diverted to Boston due to poor weather conditions in the New York area.
Details of the Delta’s Go-Around at Boston
Delta’s long-haul flight, carrying 284 passengers and 11 crew members, was completing its approach to Boston when air traffic control instructed the pilots to perform a go-around to avoid potential conflict with a Cape Air aircraft departing from an intersecting runway.
The go-around procedure was executed safely, and the Delta jet later landed without incident. The event, however, prompted pilot remarks suggesting just how close the encounter might have been.
According to air traffic communications, Delta Flight 263 was on final approach at around 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time when the tower issued the go-around command.
Cape Air Flight 548 had been cleared for takeoff from a crossing runway, prompting air traffic control to direct the Delta crew to climb to 3,000 feet to maintain safe separation.
Go-arounds are standard aviation procedures allowing pilots to discontinue a landing when conditions or spacing require it. Delta confirmed the maneuver was carried out following standard safety protocols.
Both aircraft landed and took off safely following the brief incident, and there were no reports of injuries or aircraft damage.
Pilot Reactions Captured in Boston’s Go-Around
Audio recordings from LiveATC.net captured the exchanges between the flight crews. The Cape Air pilot, surprised by the situation, was heard saying, “What the heck?” reported CBS News.
Moments later, the Delta pilot responded, “That was close,” acknowledging the unexpected proximity during descent.
The exchange underscores the intensity of the moment and highlights the need for absolute precision during runway operations at busy airports such as Logan.
FAA officials confirmed the agency is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the air traffic clearances and crew responses to determine whether procedural errors occurred.
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FAA Response and Broader Context
The FAA emphasized that the go-around was initiated to ensure safety and that such actions are a routine part of air traffic control operations.
However, this incident comes amid ongoing concerns over controller staffing shortages and increased workloads resulting from the ongoing government shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that a growing number of controllers have been calling in sick, adding pressure to an already strained system.
Major airlines, including Delta, have publicly urged Congress to restore funding to prevent further disruptions to the National Airspace System.
Bottom Line
The near-miss at Boston Logan serves as another reminder of how crucial air traffic control staffing and procedural adherence are to flight safety.
Both aircraft performed as expected, and the quick directive to go around likely prevented a far more serious situation.
While the FAA continues its investigation, the event highlights how precision and communication remain vital in maintaining the U.S. aviation system’s strong safety record.
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