

Passenger Planes Nearly Collide Far More Than You Know
36 snips Sep 5, 2023
Sydney Ember, an economics correspondent for The New York Times with a focus on aviation, reveals startling findings about near-collisions involving U.S. passenger planes—happening far more frequently than the public is aware. She discusses the alarming trend of close calls as air traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels and critiques the strained safety systems in aviation. Ember also highlights the critical shortage of air traffic controllers and the risks posed by inexperienced personnel, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety protocols.
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Recent Near Misses
- Near misses occurred at JFK, Austin, Sarasota, and Boston.
- These events raised public concern about aviation safety.
Hidden Frequency
- There's no single source revealing the true frequency of near collisions.
- Public databases and FAA reports reveal a higher frequency than publicly known.
Alarming Statistics
- In July alone, there were at least 46 close calls involving passenger planes.
- A NASA database showed roughly 300 close call reports in a 12-month period.