On the evening of November 17, 2025, an Alaska Airlines flight nearly collided with a FedEx cargo plane at Newark Airport in New Jersey. The incident took place when both aircraft were attempting to land on intersecting runways. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic control directed Alaska Airlines flight 294, a Boeing 737, to perform a go-around maneuver around 8:15 PM local time due to the authorization given to FedEx flight 721, a Boeing 777, for its final approach on the crossing runway.

Data collected from FlightRadar24 and reported by ABC News indicate that the go-around was initiated just seconds before the Alaska Airlines flight was due to touch down, with the aircraft only about 45 meters above the ground at that time. It narrowly avoided the FedEx cargo plane, passing approximately 90 to 100 meters away. This close call highlights the complexities and risks associated with air traffic management in busy airports, particularly when multiple flights are converging on the same airspace.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident to fully understand the circumstances and the decision-making processes involved. Safety protocols in aviation are consistently evaluated and updated to prevent such occurrences, as they can have serious implications for passenger safety and operational efficiency at airports. This event serves as a reminder of the critical role of air traffic controllers in maintaining safe distances between aircraft during landing and takeoff.