An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a Cessna C182 were involved in a near-collision incident near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on 16 October 2024. American Airlines flight AA2587, arriving from Chicago O’Hare International Airport was being vectored for an approach to runway 36L Austin Bergstrom (AUS).
During its arrival, ATC advised the American flight of unknown traffic in its 11 o’clock position. Flight crew reported sighting the traffic, and continued with the approach. Due to foggy conditions, the American Boeing 737 subsequently lost visual contact of the single-engine Cessna C182. As American Airlines flight was intercepting the final approach leg for runway 36L, the Cessna unexpectedly crossed its flight path.
The traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) alerted American Airlines flight AA2587 to conflicting traffic. Flight crew advised the approach controller that they were responding to a Resolution Advisory (RA) and were taking avoidance action.
Available flight data shows that the two aircraft passed within approximately 400 feet of each other vertically as American flight AA2587 established on its final approach. As American flight AA2587 took avoidance action to comply with the RA, the maneuver prompted ATC to vector an inbound private jet, in order to maintain separation.
All three aircraft were able to land safely without further incident. A subsequent statement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the C182 unexpectedly entered the flight path of American Airlines Flight 2587.
The aircraft conducting flight AA2587 from Chicago was a Boeing 737-800, registered N800NN. This is 15.3 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier American Airlines. It has been in operational service with the airline since July 2009.
The conflicting single-engine aircraft was a privately owned Cessna R182 Skylane RG, registered N738PG. The FAA is now investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances and contributing factors.
