RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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An air traffic controller\u0027s quick thinking helped avert a dangerous situation late Thursday night when two American Airlines jets \u00e2\u0080\u0094 one landing in Phoenix, Arizona, and the other simultaneously taking off \u00e2\u0080\u0094 shared the same flight number and radio frequency.The veteran air traffic controller realized that American Airlines Flight 2482 from Chicago that was coming in for landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport \u00e2\u0080\u0094 and one that had just taken off and was headed for Chicago \u00e2\u0080\u0094 were on converging flights and had the same call sign.After catching the issue, the veteran air traffic controller began giving instructions to the pilots by differentiating their descriptions, using "American 2842 departing" and "American 2482 arriving."He was able to keep the aircraft separated, and both continued on their way without incident."I\u0027ve been working air traffic for 25 years," the air traffic controller told the pilots, according to dispatch audio recorded by ATC.com. "I\u0027ve never seen two aircraft pretty much merge with the same call sign. That\u0027s pretty incredible."He later added, "It could have been disastrous, but I\u0027m glad it all worked out."The Federal Aviation Administration said the two planes maintained the required separation the entire time. The FAA said it is investigating the incident.American Airlines told CBS News the situation was triggered because the flight arriving from Chicago O\u0027Hare International Airport was delayed. That plane was supposed to land in Phoenix, take on new passengers, and then return to Chicago on the same callsign.Because of the delay, however, a different aircraft was brought in so the waiting passengers in Phoenix could depart.American Airlines said in a statement it was "reviewing\u00e2\u0080\u0084the\u00e2\u0080\u0084details\u00e2\u0080\u0084related\u00e2\u0080\u0084to\u00e2\u0080\u0084two American\u00e2\u0080\u0084flights with the same\u00e2\u0080\u0084callsign.""The diligence\u00e2\u0080\u0084and professionalism\u00e2\u0080\u0084of air\u00e2\u0080\u0084traffic controllers\u00e2\u0080\u0084and our\u00e2\u0080\u0084pilots\u00e2\u0080\u0084ensured\u00e2\u0080\u0084required separation was always maintained\u00e2\u0080\u0084and the\u00e2\u0080\u0084issue\u00e2\u0080\u0084was\u00e2\u0080\u0084identified and\u00e2\u0080\u0084addressed," the airline said. "Both flights\u00e2\u0080\u0084continued safely and\u00e2\u0080\u0084without incident."\u00a0
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