United Airlines aircraft involved in near collision with Stealth fighter

Airline Industry Information, Sept 8, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

United Airlines has confirmed that one of its Boeing 757 passenger aircraft flying from Los Angeles to Boston was involved in a near collision incident with a military aircraft believed to be a F-17 Stealth.

The two aircraft apparently came within 500 feet vertically of each other and one kilometre horizontally over Los Angeles airport on 7 September and the United Airlines aircraft was forced to take evasive action when a proximity alarm alerted the pilot that there was another aircraft nearby. The usual distance maintained between aircraft near airports is 1.4 kilometres or eight kilometres outside the airport zone according to Reuters.

United Airlines flight 174 was carrying 166 passengers and seven crew members, none of whom were injured in the incident. The aircraft landed safely in Boston and an investigation is now being carried out by both United Airlines and the US Federal Aviation Administration according to Dow Jones News.

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