AVIATION/ NTSB REPORTS ON NEAR COLLISION AT ORD

The NTSB has issued a report on the near collision of 2 AMERICAN AIRLINES aircraft over Chicago, on June 1, 2009. On that date, AA Flight 93 was on International Boeing 767 Service from Dublin, Ireland, to Chicago OHare, with 202 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. Flight 93 was on a straight on approach to runway 27L, with visibility exceeding 10 miles and cloud ceiling of 5500 feet. At the same time, AA Flight 879 was on Domestic MD83 Service from St Louis, Missouri, to Chicago OHare, with 105 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. Flight 879 was being vectored for approach to runway 28, when due to an oversight by ATC, the MD83 continued northwards, thru the extended centerline of the runway, and in direct conflict with Flight 93. The FAA reported that the minimum seperation between the 2 aircraft was 0.35nm laterally and 0 feet vertically. Both aircraft landed without incident at OHare. The NTSB reported yesterday that the incident was not reported to the FAA, until it was done 2 days later by the crew of the Flight 93. Neither the OHare controller or supervisor reported the incident, which is required. According to the NTSB, both thought that the other had reported the incident. For full details on the incident, including exchanges between ATC and the 2 aircraft as they approached OHare, see the NTSB website. (SK COMMENT: I live directly under one of the flight paths into OHare, and most of the jets that fly overhead are a mix of Domestic & International Carriers. Looking at the map above, I would pinpoint the near collision to be about a mile W of where I live).