Two near mid-air collisions, only three months apart from each other in 2011, sparked a probe into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report that highlights concerns. The report doesn't say exactly what caused the collisions, but the NTSB identified several key factors that may have led tot he breakdown of communication.
The report said one captain felt he was "nearly getting killed" when his plane was almost involved in a near collision with another plane on May 16th. The planes missed one another by several hundred feet.
"An air traffic control person missed, then it took the pilot to catch it," explains aviation expert Joe Schwieterman. "And we can be thankful that one of these near misses for the evasive action from a pilot that was very quick on his feet."
The report also mentioned the second incident in August 2011 where employees claim an obstruction forced controllers to yell vital information across the room and a confusing runway layout.
The Chicago Department of Aviation released this statement: "We coordinate with and support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic controllers and all our other federal and local partner agencies to ensure the highest level safety at O'Hare and Midway International Airports."
"There's been a lot of tension with air traffic control. There's been a lot of complexity to try to untangle this airport built in the 50's," says Schwieterman. "And we've been doing things well with the modernization, but it's also clear that this old airport needs lots of attention and air traffic control is a big part of the picture."
The investigation is continuing and a final report is expected to come out in the next few months.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
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