Two American Airlines Jets with Same Flight Number Almost Collide Over Phoenix

A potential midair disaster was averted early Friday morning above Phoenix when a veteran air traffic controller recognized that two American Airlines jets were mistakenly operating under the identical flight number and acted quickly to keep them separated, according to audio recordings and aviation reports.

How the Identical Flight Numbers Converged Over Phoenix

The incident unfolded shortly after midnight on Friday when two Boeing 737-800 aircraft both operated as American Airlines Flight 2482 in the airspace near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). According to flight data and reports from Simple Flying, the route regularly operates round-trips between Phoenix and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). A weather delay in Chicago disrupted the standard rotation, forcing American Airlines to deploy a second aircraft already stationed in Phoenix to fly the outbound leg on time.

Consequently, the inbound flight from Chicago—identified as aircraft N946NN—landed at 12:13 a.m. local time, more than an hour behind schedule, while the outbound flight to Chicago—identified as aircraft N925AN—departed Phoenix at 11:58 p.m., just minutes behind its scheduled departure time, according to One Mile At A Time and flight tracking data cited by Simple Flying. This overlap placed both aircraft in the same regional airspace tuned to the same air traffic control frequency while using the exact same call sign.

Air Traffic Controller Intervenes to Prevent Collision

Audio captured by ATC.com reveals that a 25-year-old air traffic control veteran quickly identified the duplicate call signs as the aircraft flight paths converged. “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,” the controller remarked after the departing plane cleared the area.

According to ABC News, the controller immediately altered communication protocols to prevent pilot confusion regarding instructions and altitudes. By explicitly designating “American 2482 on the arrival” and “American 2482 on the departure,” the controller maintained safe vertical separation, kept the arriving plane safely above the departing aircraft, and ensured both flight crews visually identified each other while miles apart.

Aviation Experts Examine Dispatch Safeguards

Following the safe landing of both flights, aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo told ABC News that the incident likely stemmed from a scheduling oversight within the airline’s dispatch center. Arroyo noted that dispatchers and flight crews sign off on flight plans without catching that identical flight numbers would occupy the same airspace simultaneously.

“You can drop the ball and that shouldn’t happen, but it’s nice to see that the system is resilient and we have all the safeguards,” said Arroyo, drawing on four decades of experience as a dispatcher and United Airlines pilot.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines confirmed they are investigating the incident. In an official statement reported by ABC News, American Airlines emphasized that “the diligence and professionalism of air traffic controllers and our pilots ensured required separation was always maintained and the issue was identified and addressed. Both flights continued safely and without incident.”