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2 planes with same flight number avoid possible disaster thanks to controller
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • business
Key Points:
- A potential disaster was averted when a Phoenix air traffic controller quickly managed two American Airlines jets mistakenly assigned the same flight number, American 2482, ensuring they maintained safe separation.
- The controller differentiated the planes by referring to them as “American 2482 on the arrival” and “American 2482 on the departure,” preventing confusion and possible collision as their flight paths converged.
- The incident likely resulted from an error in the airline’s dispatch center, where both flights with identical numbers were approved to be airborne simultaneously due to a delay and use of a second plane.
- Aviation experts praised the controller’s quick thinking and the resilience of the air traffic system’s safeguards, though the FAA and American Airlines are investigating the cause of the mix-up.
- Both airlines emphasized that professionalism and diligence ensured safety throughout the incident, with no harm to passengers or aircraft.
