FAA Investigates Close Call Involving Two Southwest Jets at Nashville Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident at Nashville International Airport where two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft performed evasive maneuvers after receiving cockpit collision alerts. Preliminary data indicates the aircraft came within approximately 500 feet of each other vertically.

Both flights landed safely at their intended destinations.

Incident Overview

On Saturday at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, two Southwest Airlines flights were involved in a close proximity incident near Nashville International Airport (BNA). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the event.

Sequence of Events

According to FAA statements and air traffic control audio, the incident unfolded as follows:

• Southwest Flight 507, arriving from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was on approach to land at BNA.
• Due to gusty wind conditions, the pilots of Flight 507 executed a precautionary go-around, aborting the landing attempt.
• During the go-around maneuver, an air traffic controller issued instructions directing Flight 507 to turn. The FAA stated these instructions "put the flight in the path of another airplane that was departing from a parallel runway."
• The other aircraft was Southwest Flight 1152, which had just taken off from a parallel runway en route to Knoxville.
• The Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) onboard both aircraft activated, issuing "resolution advisories" – cockpit alarms that direct pilots to take immediate evasive action.
• In response to the TCAS commands, one aircraft climbed while the other descended to increase separation.
• Air traffic control audio indicates that when a controller subsequently instructed the departing Flight 1152 to stay below 2,000 feet, the pilot reported already being above that altitude.
• Flight 507 landed safely in Nashville on a subsequent approach. Flight 1152 continued to Knoxville and landed without further incident.

Investigation and Data

• The FAA is investigating the incident.
• Preliminary location data from the flight tracking service Flightradar24 indicates the vertical separation between the two aircraft at their closest point was approximately 500 feet, with one aircraft passing over the other. This proximity would meet the official definition of a near midair collision.
• The FAA stated the investigation will determine the exact distance between the aircraft.

Official Statements

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): "The crew... received instructions from air traffic control that put the flight in the path of another airplane." The FAA confirmed both flight crews responded to onboard alerts and that an investigation is underway.

Southwest Airlines: A spokesperson stated gusty winds prompted the pilot of Flight 507 to perform a go-around. The airline said both pilots followed directions from air traffic control and their collision avoidance systems. Southwest stated, "Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its pilots and flight crews in responding to the event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees."

Background and Context

• The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is a mandated safety system on commercial airliners designed to prevent mid-air collisions by providing pilots with direct instructions to increase separation.
• Aviation safety analysts describe TCAS as a critical last line of defense.
• Midair collisions involving commercial airliners equipped with such systems are rare.
• According to safety data, most annual close calls in U.S. airspace involve small general aviation aircraft not required to have TCAS installed.