Air traffic controllers have tough jobs, and given the volume of planes they handle, it’s not surprising that we sometimes see close calls. However, this has to be one of the stranger incidents we’ve seen in quite some time…
In this post:
Envoy Air & SkyWest jets have close call on approach
VASAviation has the scoop on what happened shortly before 11PM on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina (GSO). The incident involves two planes:
- American Eagle flight AA3754 (operated by Envoy Air) was operating from Miami (MIA) using an Embraer E175
- United Express flight UA5503 (operated by SkyWest) was operating from Denver (DEN) using an Embraer E175
The air traffic controller was sequencing both planes to land on runway 5R, with the Envoy Air plane being ahead of the SkyWest plane.
It was clear that the planes would be approaching pretty close to one another, so the air traffic controller tried to create some separation. Already quite a ways out, the SkyWest pilots were told to slow down to 210 knots, while the Envoy Air pilots were told to keep it as fast as they could for as long as they could. Later, the SkyWest pilots were further told to slow down to 170 knots.
The air traffic controller confirmed that the SkyWest plane had visual of the Envoy Air plane ahead of it, and was told to follow it in. The SkyWest pilots were also told “if you can’t, I’ll break you out and send you back around, just let me know.”
You can then see a collision alert on the radar, given how close to one another the planes got. However, it was only when the planes got even closer that the SkyWest pilots requested to break off, and be resequenced. Both planes ended up landing safely, around six minutes apart.
According to VASAviation, at their closest point, the two planes had just 300 feet of separation, which is dangerously close. You can hear the communication and see a visualization of what happened below.
I’m so confused how this became such a close call
When I first saw that VASAviation uploaded the above video, I watched the whole thing start from finish. After watching it, I figured I must have misunderstood what was going on here, as there’s no way the air traffic controller was actually intending for both of these planes to land on the same runway, thinking this spacing would work out.
I figured I must have misunderstood it, and they were intended to line up on parallel runways, or something. But nope, the planes were being lined up for the same runway. I mean, I think even to the untrained eye, it was pretty clear from 15 miles out that this wasn’t going to end well.
This sure seems like a situation where some vectoring early on would’ve made a lot of sense. A missed approach isn’t a huge deal, but what I’m confused about is why both the pilots and air traffic controller allowed this to become such a close call.
Since the two planes were maintaining visual separation, I understand the air traffic controller putting the ball in the pilots’ court, and giving the SkyWest pilots the option of breaking out, if they wanted to. But… like… between the pilots and the air traffic controller, how was this not called off earlier? They waited until the planes were hundreds of feet apart to call off the approach?
This is truly one of the more puzzling close calls I’ve seen in some time. I see how this kind of stuff happens at LaGuardia on a super busy day, but on an otherwise quiet night at Greensboro?
Bottom line
Two jets had a close call at GSO, as they both approached the runway around the same time. Even from far out, it seemed clear that one plane would have to resequence to make this work. Despite that, the planes both continued their approach until they were just hundreds of feet apart.
Fortunately this had a fine ending, but this seems like something that was entirely avoidable, and even to the untrained eye, it seemed obvious this wasn’t going to work out.
What do you make of this close call at GSO?
Still Waiting for your article about AA bringing on Bollinger Champagne…
@ Zach -- No need to wait, it was published five days ago. :-)
https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-bollinger-champagne/
The TCAS systems on the aircraft would not have allowed the aircraft to get as close as you mentioned, maybe their altitudes were a difference 300’ but not horizontal separation. This is written in a way that either intentionally inflates the risk of the situation or by someone who may not be entirely in the know.
Hard to be certain, but I think the J-Ring was inaccurate. It said 3 miles, but the runways are almost two miles long. I think the tickmarks are 1 mile tickmarks, and I think the J-Ring was 6 miles.
In that case, looks like slightly under 1 mile lateral.
Anyway, this looks like bad controlling, but it does not look like a "close call".
Is weird TCAS didn't require action sooner. Guess that's why we still need human control.
We used to call that frequency separation. It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. The FAA has got to ban visual separation at night. It didn’t work at DCA, it didn’t work here and it’s just not worth the risk.
Nighttime is the time of day when visual separation is the easiest. It's typically harder to see traffic in the daytime.
Also in the news, an attempted landing on the wrong runway:
Jets were just metres from disaster in Nice airport confusion.
What does all these disasters have in common?
Human error.
"do", not "does".
Another week, another close call. The game of airplane chicken is getting old.
At the mythical triad?!?!? Wonder if OB will discuss this one
Humans.
With known and proven limited capabilities, you still expect a different result?
Well at the least, nobody can deny your repetetive uninspired insights on the subject of ATC doesn't prove your own point about limited capabilities.
Mistakenly added "doesn't". Typo.
Typo, mid air collisions, avoidable mistakes, very human.
Refusing to accept the the facts like @JoeAmateur, very prehistoric.
Now go back to Jurassic and keep making mistakes. Hopefully no fatal accidents happens because of your ignorance of technology.
Your kind is using obsolete 60 year old tech and over due for extinction.
For the sake of human lives, please retire.
Sorry bud, only guy refusing to accept facts is you.
ATC disappears, people die. It's literally why ATC was invented to begin with.
This fantasy AI you keep talking about that can take over from all the humans tomorrow doesn't exist.
Prove Me Wrong.
Anyways, I was drinking when I made my typo. What's your excuse for your limited thinking skills?
No they do not. ATC is a working class job that is attainable by slackers in high school who finally come to grips with the idea that working the deep fryer at a fast food joint isn’t going to cut it. ATC is not a tough job because the mental capacity required for it is not high. The hours are not very long either.
You definitely need an implant.
Didn't realize we had a midwestern level 4 tower controller in our midst!
You guys spin your own radar?
It depends on the job, but ya a lot of ATC jobs aren’t hard. Same with pilots. Thank Hollywood.