FAA investigates after two American Airlines flights used same call sign at Sky Harbor
Two Flight 2482s, one arriving, one departing, used the same call sign simultaneously. "It could have been disastrous," a controller said.
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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in which two American Airlines flights operated under the same flight number simultaneously, creating a potential safety hazard.
American Airlines Flight 2482 was descending into Sky Harbor around midnight Friday when another Flight 2482 departed the airport using the identical call sign, the FAA confirmed to KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Controllers recognized the conflict and maintained required separation between the aircraft. Both flights continued without incident.
Flight 2482 is a round-trip flight that uses the same flight number from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Sky Harbor and back, according to American Airlines. Flight tracking data shows one Flight 2482 departed Phoenix at 11:41 p.m. Thursday while the other arrived at 12:15 a.m. Friday, placing both aircraft in the same airspace with the same identifier.
American Airlines said it is reviewing the incident.
“The diligence and professionalism of air traffic controllers and our pilots ensured required separation was always maintained, and the issue was identified and addressed,” the airline said in a statement to KTAR News 92.3FM. “Both flights continued safely and without incident.”
Air traffic control audio reportedly archived by LiveATC captured controllers reacting to the event.
“That’s the first time 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 pretty incredible,” one controller said.
“It could have been disastrous, but I’m glad it all worked out,” another responded.
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Comments
3 Comments
"American Airlines said it is reviewing the incident."
REVIEWING???
This sounds like something that needs to be identified by AA system-wide, and changed immediately. To the lay person, having two different airplanes on different routes with the same call sign is INSANITY.
This is not an isolated incident. In March, I requested disability assistance from American Airlines, but employees refused to help place my backpack in the overhead bin and threatened to remove me from the plane. On my return flight, during descent into Sky Harbor, I photographed an overhead bin that was wide open and packed with bags. A bag could have fallen onto a passenger’s head and caused a serious injury. I reported it to the DOT and alerted American’s CEO’s office because these were serious disability and safety concerns—not minor customer-service complaints. The CEO’s office simply dismissed them and denied any wrongdoing. This latest incident raises further questions about American Airlines’ management, training, and safety culture. These warning signs require a serious investigation before someone is badly hurt.
Different departures, same flight number, similar arrival times to the same airport,... alomost like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups,... -this is what happens when no one's watching the Interns during lunch hour.