An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, registration N738AL, operating Flight AS294 from Portland, Oregon, and a FedEx Boeing 777F, registration N853FD, operating Flight FX721 from Memphis, Tennessee, came within 300 to 325 feet of each other at Newark Liberty International Airport on March 17, 2026.
The incident occurred around 8:17 p.m. as both aircraft approached intersecting runways. FlightRadar24 radar data and air traffic control audio show the Alaska 737 descending to 150 feet above ground level, seconds from touchdown, when controllers issued a go-around instruction: “Copy 294. Go around. Maintain 2000.” The FedEx 777 continued its landing on the crossing runway and touched down safely.
Preliminary FlightRadar24 data confirms the Alaska aircraft passed directly over the FedEx plane with minimum separation of 300 to 325 feet. The FAA stated, “An air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 to perform a go-around at Newark International Airport because FedEx Flight 721 was cleared for the final approach to an intersecting runway. The FAA is investigating.”
Former FAA vice president Michael McCormick noted the challenge of timing landings on intersecting runways at Newark, a hub handling about 325,000 flights annually. Controllers use radar screens, ADS-B technology, and the 4-minute rule to maintain separation in congested airspace.
Alaska Airlines reported 171 passengers and 6 crew on board, stating, “Air traffic control issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for.” FedEx confirmed, “The flight crew of FedEx flight 721 landed safely without incident.” The NTSB is also investigating. No injuries occurred.