Runway Incursions and Near-Misses at U.S. Airports
FAA data reveals a troubling rise in serious runway safety events since 2022
SERIOUS INCURSIONS (2023)
23
Category A+B events, up from 16 in 2019
ATC FACILITIES UNDERSTAFFED
77%
below optimal controller levels in 2024
NEAR-MISSES (2023–2024)
8
high-profile events drawing FAA scrutiny
Serious Runway Incursions (Category A + B)
Area chart shows combined Category A (extreme) and B (significant) events by year. Presidential terms shaded by party.
Category A + B Incursions
Democrat Admin
Republican Admin
Key Events Timeline
2023-02-04
Austin near-collision
FedEx cargo jet forced to abort landing as Southwest 737 crosses runway; planes come within 100 feet.
2023-02-27
JFK near-miss
American Airlines 777 crosses runway while Delta 737 accelerating for takeoff; collision averted by ATC intervention.
2023-04-18
FAA safety summit
Administrator Whitaker convenes industry-wide safety review in response to incident spike.
2023-06-12
Senate hearing
Commerce Committee grills FAA on staffing shortages and training protocols.
2024-01-02
Haneda collision (Tokyo)
Japan Airlines A350 collides with Coast Guard plane on runway; 5 killed, heightens global focus on ground safety.
2024-03-15
DOGE workforce cuts
Federal hiring freeze affects FAA recruitment; NATCA warns of safety risk from understaffing.
2024-11-20
Charlotte ground vehicle incident
American Airlines pilot aborts takeoff to avoid ground vehicle on runway at CLT.
Understanding Runway Safety
Sources: FAA Runway Incursion Database, NATCA Staffing Reports, DOT Inspector General
Data current through 2024. Category A+B incursions represent the most serious events requiring evasive action.
Data sources
Runway Incursion Database· Federal Aviation AdministrationAir Traffic Controller Staffing Reports· National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)Aviation Safety Oversight Review· Department of Transportation Office of Inspector GeneralAirport Operations Statistics· Federal Aviation Administration