The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident in which two American Airlines Boeing 737-800s operated near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the same frequency under the same callsign, American 2482. The overlap involved an inbound Chicago-to-Phoenix service and a Phoenix-based return flight, creating a brief controller confusion as the carrier used a different aircraft for the outbound leg after the arrival was delayed.
The aircraft remained safely separated, but the duplicate callsign created a potential loss-of-separation risk in busy terminal airspace. Air traffic control distinguished the aircraft on frequency as the arrival and the departure, allowing both flights to continue without incident.
The flight number normally operates as an out-and-back Chicago–Phoenix rotation with one aircraft turning in Phoenix. In this case, the delay to the inbound service meant a replacement aircraft was assigned locally while the return leg departed on schedule or close to it under the same number. American is reviewing the circumstances while the FAA examines how the overlap occurred and whether any procedural changes are needed.