Two American Airlines jets flying in Phoenix airspace with the same flight number were spotted by an alert air traffic controller, who worked to keep the planes a safe distance apart, according to a news report.
The situation, which occurred shortly after midnight on Aug. 14, was first reported by Associated Press.
Typically, the same plane goes back and forth on American Flight 2482, but the flight out of Chicago was delayed by weather, so American found a second plane in Phoenix to leave for Chicago, AP reported. Both planes briefly shared the same airspace before the arriving flight landed, AP reported.
Audio posted on atc.com shows the controller referring to "American 2482 on the arrival" and "American 2482 on the departure" to distinguish
the two planes for their pilots.
The controller's actions kept the arriving plane safely above the departing plane, the AP reported.
This is a developing story. Return to azcentral.com for updates.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Air controller averts midair collision risk near Phoenix, report says
