Federal aviation authorities are investigating a serious near-collision involving two passenger aircraft at Boston Logan International Airport after a Delta Air Lines jet was forced to abort its landing when another aircraft began taking off on an intersecting runway.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:35 a.m. Saturday, when air traffic controllers mistakenly cleared an American Airlines Boeing 737 for takeoff directly into the path of a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 that was moments away from touching down.

According to reports, the Delta aircraft, carrying 129 passengers and six crew members, was only yards from landing on Runway 33L when the pilots suddenly spotted the American Airlines jet accelerating down a crossing runway to their right.

Realizing the danger, the Delta crew immediately executed a go-around, aborting the landing and rapidly climbing thousands of feet within seconds to avoid a potential collision. A cockpit warning system also alerted the pilots to possible conflicting traffic.

Reports indicate the air traffic controller was apparently unaware of the dangerous error until after the Delta aircraft had already climbed away from the runway. The flight later returned and landed safely on its second approach.

A Delta spokesperson said safety remains the airline’s highest priority and confirmed that the crew of Flight 2351 followed established procedures in coordination with air traffic control while approaching Logan Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the incident.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)