FAA launches investigation into close aircraft over Syracuse

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to NewsChannel 9 that it has launched an investigation into aircraft caught on camera possibly flying too close.

A spokesman said: “The FAA is investigating the July 8 incident. It is routine for aircraft to take off and land on the same runway.”

The aircraft in question are American Airlines/Eagle Flight 5511, which attempted to land at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, and Delta Flight 5421, which attempted to land from the same runway, Runway 2-8.

NewsChannel 9 was the first station to receive and broadcast the video, which is now being viewed across the country.

The video was captured on a dashcam on a patrol car by a North Syracuse police officer who was called to a car crash. The video shows an Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy responding to what they saw.

On Monday, the FAA said: “An air traffic controller instructed Blue Streak Flight 5511 to conduct a circle at Syracuse Hancock International Airport to maintain a safe distance from an aircraft taking off on the same runway.”

When asked for a more precise definition, the FAA described a go-around as “a safe, routine maneuver performed at the discretion of the pilot or at the direction of an air traffic controller before a potentially unsafe situation occurs.”