AVIATION/ NEAR COLLISION AT BOSTON REPORTED

A CONTINENTAL AIRLINES Boeing 737 and a CAPE AIR Cessna 402 were involved in a near collision at Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, December 29. On that date, VIRGIN ATLANTIC Flight 11 was on International Service from London Heathrow to Boston, and was about 3.5 miles from the Boston Airport, on final approach to runway 33L. At the same time, Cape Air Flight 2228 was cleared for takeoff to Plattsburgh, New York, also from runway 33L. As the tower cleared the Cape Air flight to takeoff, they also cleared Continental Flight 338, on service to Houston, Texas, to line up for runway 33L. Just 35 seconds later, before the Cape Air jet took off, the tower cleared the Continental jet to takeoff and cleared the Virgin A340 to land. Moments later, the Continental crew reported that they had a TCAS alert with the Cape Air jet. According to media reports, the Continental Pilot said "That was way too close," with the tower responding, "Thank you". The Cape Air jet departed without further incident, followed by the Virgin aircraft landing, and then the Continental jet departing. The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident.