An American Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing at Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport to avoid a plane taking off on the same runway — less than a month after a midair collision killed 67 people near the same airport.
The incident unfolded as the Airbus A319, which was en route from Boston, was preparing to touch down just before 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
“An air traffic controller instructed American Flight 2246 to perform a go-around at Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Airport to ensure separation was maintained between this aircraft and a preceding departure from the same runway,” FAA officials said.
The airline described the incident as a standard go-around.
“American Airlines Flight 2246 landed safely and normally at DCA after it was instructed by Air Traffic Control to complete a standard go-around to allow another aircraft more time for takeoff,” a spokesperson said.
The airline said the maneuver isn’t abnormal and “can occur nearly every day.”