Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
Recent near-miss incidents at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport have raised significant alarm regarding aviation safety. With a shortage of air traffic controllers and increasing traffic volumes, aviation officials are expressing concerns about the capabilities of the current air traffic control system. Two close calls involving multiple flights have heightened awareness of immediate safety measures needed in air traffic management. As investigations unfold, there’s a call for improvements in staffing and operational strategies to ensure safer travel for all passengers.
Two near-miss incidents at one of the busiest airports in the country have ramped up conversations around aviation safety. Just in the past week, two separate situations put the capabilities of air traffic control under scrutiny and stirred concerns about how well-ready the system is to handle high traffic volumes.
Nationwide, airports are feeling the pressure put on them by a significant shortage of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has voiced concerns about this shortage, highlighting that Phoenix’s staffing levels are about average. Currently, 60 out of 61 positions in the area’s Tracon (Terminal Radar Approach Control) are filled. However, the tower at Sky Harbor Airport is at 28 out of 35, which still leaves room for improvement.
Captain Ron Nielsen, a veteran pilot, notes that fewer new individuals are entering the aviation field, leading to increased strain on the existing workforce. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2024 Workforce Plan suggests that new controllers need to be hired 2-3 years in advance to cope with burgeoning demands, but unfortunately, this is not enough to keep pace.
Trevor Cristoffersen, who holds a degree in Air Traffic Control Management, points out that gaining entry into the FAA’s program is increasingly competitive as the stress levels of the job become more widely recognized. The job itself comes with long hours and a high-stress environment, which can lead to burnout for many in the field.
Nielsen further underscores the mental strain these air traffic controllers face, especially following incidents that nearly result in collisions. The recent crashes have caught the attention of pilots, including Valley pilot Devin Starr, who expressed his shock at the happenings between an American Eagle jet and an Army helicopter. Starr also mentioned previous congestion problems in airspace near Washington D.C., highlighting the design of Phoenix’s airspace as being safer in comparison.
In most cases, pilots rely heavily on instruments like GPS technology to help avoid mid-air collisions, which, thankfully, are quite rare. Still, incidents continue to occur. In one particular case, both Delta Flight 1070 and United Flight 1724 found themselves facing potential collision risks near Sky Harbor, and the FAA is currently investigating how this happened.
In this alarming situation, Delta Flight 1070 had been given the clearance to land on Runway 8 when suddenly, collision warnings erupted. Simultaneously, United Flight 1724 was also nearing its landing when its alarms were triggered. The result? A nail-biting vertical distance of only 425 feet between the two aircraft in a matter of seconds, and just 1,200 feet horizontally—which is less than a quarter of a mile, far closer than the ideal five miles apart that is recommended during approach.
Passengers were understandably rattled, and one traveler, Justin Giddens, managed to catch the tension on his phone camera while out with family. Audio from air traffic control later revealed that the controller was juggling the landings of multiple planes at once.
Fortunately, the crews from both airlines acted promptly and skillfully, while the clear skies made visibility conditions favorable, helping them avoid what could have been a catastrophic collision. Delta’s flight crews routinely train for unusual scenarios, while United praised their pilots for their immediate response during such a tense moment. The FAA is collaborating with both airlines as they work on a thorough investigation.
In the wake of these events, heightened awareness of aviation safety might pave the way for improvements, although the current staffing challenges will need urgent attention. As air traffic controllers continue to manage high volumes of air traffic, it’s a crucial time for the industry to assess its strategies and ensure that safety remains paramount.
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