Airports

Close Call Between Helicopter and United Jet at Newark Airport Being Investigated by FAA

Oct. 18, 2023

While a safe separation was maintained between the two aircraft, the FAA is investigating the incident that occurred around 6:15 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 9.

By Larry Higgs

Source nj.com (TNS)

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident where the pilot of a helicopter had to be warned by an air traffic controller it was coming too close to a departing United Airlines jet leaving on a nearby runway at Newark Liberty Airport on Oct 9, officials said.

An air traffic controller instructed the pilot of a Eurocopter EC145 helicopter to turn away from Runway 22R during departure from Newark Liberty International Airport because United Airlines Flight 2206 was on its takeoff roll from the parallel runway, said an FAA spokesperson, responding to NJ Advance Media questions.

The incident that occurred around 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, the FAA said. It was witnessed by a commuter on a bus on the New Jersey Turnpike as it passed the airport.

While a safe separation was maintained between the two aircraft, the FAA is investigating the incident that occurred around 6:15 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 9, a spokeswoman said.

A United Airlines spokeswoman said the carrier had no comment beyond what the FAA said.

The United Boeing 767-300 jet was departing Newark on a flight to Houston that arrived at 8:32 p.m. central time, according to Flight Aware.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected].