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Near collision prompts new flight procedures

Thursday, 22 May 20143 min read

A near collision between two aircraft at New York’s Newark airport has prompted new rules in take-off and landing procedures.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said aircraft taking off and landing at the same time will no longer be able to use intersecting runways.

A report by investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board said the April 24 incident involving a United Airways flight from San Francisco and an ExpressJet flight bound for Memphis was classified as a ‘near midair collision.’

The planes reportedly came within about 200 feet of each other.

FAA officials said arriving planes will no longer be able to approach the east-west runway 29 at the same time as flights are readying for take-off on the north-south Runway 4R.

The reason for such a close call is still being investigated by NTSB officials and a full report is not expected for several months