NTSB Investigates Runway Near-Collision at Newark Liberty Airport

This article is based on an official press release from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Federal aviation authorities have launched urgent investigations into a serious runway incursion and close call at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). On the evening of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, a commercial passenger jet and a heavy cargo freighter came dangerously close to colliding while attempting to land.

According to an official public statement released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the incident involved an Alaska Airlines passenger flight and a FedEx Express Cargo-Aircraft. The conflict occurred as both aircraft were navigating simultaneous approaches to intersecting runways, a complex maneuver requiring precise air traffic control (ATC) sequencing.

Disaster was ultimately averted by a last-second intervention from air traffic controllers. The event has renewed industry-wide scrutiny on airport runway configurations, ATC staffing levels, and the safety margins protecting the nation’s most congested airspace.

The Incident at Newark Liberty

Flight Details and Convergence

Based on preliminary incident reports, the conflict began at approximately 8:17 PM local time. Alaska Airlines Flight 294, operating a Boeing 737 MAX 9 arriving from Portland International Airport (PDX), and a FedEx Express Boeing 777 freighter arriving from Memphis International Airport (MEM), were both on their final descent into Newark.

The NTSB confirmed the core details of the convergence in their initial public disclosure:

The NTSB is investigating a close call at Newark Liberty Airport on March 17 in which an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 overflew a FedEx Boeing 777 while both jets were attempting to land on crossing runways.

The Critical Go-Around

As the two Boeing aircraft converged on the intersecting runways, separation margins deteriorated rapidly. Preliminary flight tracking data indicates that the planes passed each other with a vertical and horizontal separation of roughly 300 to 325 feet (approximately 90 meters).

When the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 descended to an estimated 150 feet above ground level, seconds away from touchdown, air traffic controllers recognized the imminent collision risk. Controllers immediately issued an urgent “go-around” instruction to the Alaska Airlines crew. The pilots complied without hesitation, aborting their landing and climbing sharply away from the FedEx freighter. The FedEx plane continued its approach and landed safely. No injuries to passengers or crew, and no damage to either aircraft, were reported.

Official Investigations and Systemic Context

NTSB and FAA Response

Both the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have officially opened investigations into the March 17 incident. The primary focus of these inquiries will be to determine the root cause of the sequencing failure that allowed the two aircraft to breach standard safety buffers.

Investigators are currently securing and analyzing radar data, ATC audio communications, and the flight data recorders from both the Alaska Airlines and FedEx aircraft. The agencies will evaluate whether the loss of separation was the result of human error, technological shortcomings, or systemic operational strains at the airport.

AirPro News analysis

We note that Newark Liberty International Airport frequently utilizes intersecting runways to boost overall flight throughput. While this is a standard and highly efficient operational feature used to manage heavy traffic in the New York metropolitan airspace, it requires flawless coordination. Any miscalculation in timing or communication can lead to severe runway incursions.

This incident puts a renewed spotlight on the ongoing strain within the U.S. air traffic control system. Newark operates within one of the most complex pieces of airspace in the country, making it particularly vulnerable to sequencing challenges. Furthermore, this event adds to a growing list of highly publicized near-misses at major U.S. airports over the past few years, which have previously prompted the FAA to hold emergency safety summits.

However, while the 300-foot proximity of the two aircraft is undeniably alarming, aviation safety experts often emphasize that such incidents demonstrate the resilience of the system. The final layers of aviation safety, specifically, vigilant ATC monitoring and immediate pilot responsiveness, functioned exactly as designed to prevent a catastrophic accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at Newark Airport on March 17, 2026?

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 and a FedEx Boeing 777 freighter experienced a close call when both aircraft attempted to land on intersecting runways at the same time. Air traffic control issued a last-minute go-around order to the Alaska Airlines flight, preventing a collision.

How close did the two planes get?

Preliminary data suggests the two aircraft passed within 300 to 325 feet of each other before the Alaska Airlines crew aborted their landing at approximately 150 feet above the ground.

Who is investigating the incident?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are both conducting official investigations into the event.

Sources

• NTSB Newsroom