Southwest flight aborted landing after close call with helicopter

"Investigators are looking into a close call between a Southwest Airlines flight and a helicopter that forced the plane to abort its landing and go around. Southwest Flight 1333, from Baltimore, was on approach to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport last Wednesday. At the same time, an Airbus H145 medical helicopter was en route to pick up a patient from a hospital in the city."

"Flightradar24 reported that the Boeing 737 received a traffic collision avoidance system resolution advisory, or TCAS RA, an instruction that tells the pilots how to move out of the way. Flight-tracking data shows how the helicopter passed about half a mile in front of the airliner, both at an altitude of 2,075 feet. An audio recording from the air traffic control tower shows controllers instructing the helicopter to pass behind the Southwest plane."

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737, Flight 1333 from Baltimore, aborted its landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport after a medical Airbus H145 helicopter passed in front at the same altitude. Flight-tracking data showed approximately 0.56 miles of lateral separation with both aircraft at about 2,075 feet. The Boeing received a TCAS RA instructing pilots to maneuver to avoid collision, prompting the crew to execute a go-around and circle before landing safely. Tower audio captured controllers instructing the helicopter to pass behind the airliner and the helicopter pilot offering to go above and in front. The NTSB is sending a team to investigate the loss of separation. Government shutdown pressures on air traffic control systems were noted.

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