Regulations & Safety
Southwest Airlines Jets Near-Miss at Nashville Airport on April 18
Two Southwest Airlines jets narrowly avoided a midair collision near Nashville Airport, prompting evasive action and an FAA investigation.
This article summarizes reporting by NewsChannel 5 and Phil Williams.
Two Southwest Airlines jets narrowly avoided a midair collision near Nashville International Airport on Saturday afternoon, prompting immediate evasive maneuvers. According to reporting by NewsChannel 5, the aircraft were forced to take sudden action just north of the airport to prevent a disaster.
The incident, which occurred late Saturday, highlights ongoing concerns regarding air traffic control and runway safety. We are closely monitoring the developments as federal aviation authorities and the airline review the flight data.
Details of the Nashville Close Call
According to flight tracking data cited by aviation outlet Paddle Your Own Kanoo, the near-miss happened around 5:45 p.m. on April 18. Southwest Airlines Flight 507, arriving from Myrtle Beach, was attempting to land in gusty conditions. The pilots initiated a precautionary go-around, climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet.
During this maneuver, air traffic controllers reportedly instructed Flight 507 to turn right. This vector placed the Boeing 737 MAX 8 directly into the departure path of Southwest Airlines Flight 1152, which was taking off for Knoxville from an adjacent runway.
Evasive Action and Safety Systems
To avoid a catastrophic impact, the crews had to react swiftly. NewsChannel 5 Investigates discovered that the two jets were forced into evasive action just north of the airfield.
“Two Southwest Airlines jets were forced to take evasive action late Saturday afternoon… to avoid a potential midair collision,” NewsChannel 5 reported.
Flight tracking data analyzed by Flightradar24 and reported by Paddle Your Own Kanoo suggests the two aircraft came within 500 feet of each other vertically. Aviation safety experts note that such incidents often trigger the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a critical cockpit alarm that provides pilots with last-resort instructions to climb or descend when aircraft paths converge.
AirPro News analysis
We note that this incident adds to a growing list of runway incursions and near-misses at major U.S. airports over the past two years. While the aviation system remains statistically highly safe, the frequency of these close calls has placed increased scrutiny on air traffic control staffing and pilot adherence to vector instructions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will likely launch a formal investigation to determine whether controller error or weather-related miscommunication was the primary factor in Saturday’s event.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Southwest Airlines near-miss occur?
The incident took place late Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., according to industry reports.
Which flights were involved?
The close call involved Southwest Airlines Flight 507, arriving from Myrtle Beach, and Flight 1152, departing for Knoxville.
How close did the planes get?
Flight tracking data indicates the two jets passed within 500 feet of each other vertically before safely diverging.
Sources
Photo Credit: flightradar24