An air traffic controller at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport identified two American Airlines aircraft operating with the same flight number and radio frequency on a Thursday night. The controller provided distinct verbal instructions to ensure the two planes, which were on converging paths, maintained a safe distance from one another.
The incident involved American Airlines Flight 2482. One aircraft was arriving in Phoenix from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, while the second aircraft, assigned the same call sign, was departing Phoenix for Chicago. The controller noticed the duplication as the arriving flight was landing and the departing flight was taking off simultaneously.
According to dispatch audio recorded by ATC.com, the controller addressed the pilots by differentiating them as "American 2842 departing" and "American 2482 arriving." American Airlines stated that the situation occurred because the original arriving flight from Chicago was delayed. To avoid further delays for passengers waiting in Phoenix, the airline brought in a separate aircraft to operate the return leg, resulting in two active planes using the same flight number.
The scale of the event involved one veteran air traffic controller with 25 years of experience managing two multi-ton commercial jets simultaneously. American Airlines indicated that the issue was identified and addressed through the "diligence and professionalism" of both the controller and the pilots. A person on either flight would likely not have noticed the technical duplication, as both flights continued to their destinations without further incident or reported changes to their scheduled flight paths.
The incident sets a focus on airline dispatch procedures regarding delayed flights and the assignment of call signs. The FAA, which is the national authority over civil aviation, is investigating the specific circumstances of how both aircraft were authorized to use the same sign. American Airlines also confirmed it is reviewing the details of the event. The investigation will determine if changes to scheduling software or communication protocols are necessary to prevent a recurrence. No specific date for the completion of the FAA investigation has been reported.