Logan International Airport implements new safety protocols to address increasing incidents involving aircraft.
The Massachusetts Port Authority is responding to an alarming increase in aircraft and vehicle incidents at Logan International Airport. Recent collisions, including a tug vehicle striking a Cape Air plane and a wingtip collision between Frontier and American Airlines, have raised serious safety concerns. With a significant rise in wildlife strikes reported across the U.S., Logan’s proximity to bird habitats exacerbates the situation, prompting the urgent need for improved safety measures and protocols to mitigate risks to passengers and aircraft.
Boston – The Massachusetts Port Authority is taking significant measures to address an alarming rise in incidents involving aircraft and vehicles at Logan International Airport. Recent events have highlighted concerns, including multiple incidents that occurred on a single day, raising the urgency for improvements in safety protocols.
On Monday, several notable incidents were reported at Logan Airport. Notably, a tug vehicle towing an empty JetBlue aircraft struck the rear of a Cape Air plane at approximately 6:30 p.m. Although the collision was at a slow speed, two pilots from the Cape Air plane were transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure; fortunately, none of the three passengers aboard the flight sustained injuries. The Cape Air aircraft had recently flown from Nantucket to Boston, and all vehicles involved in the incident have been removed from service for inspection.
Earlier that day, around noon, the wingtips of a Frontier Airlines plane and an American Airlines plane made contact while stationed at a Terminal E gate. While this incident did not result in any injuries, passengers had to disembark from both planes for safety inspections. The Frontier flight, bound for Dallas-Fort Worth, was carrying 200 passengers, while the American flight had just arrived from London. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the wingtip collision.
Passengers on the Frontier Airlines flight reported feeling a bump during the wingtip incident, describing it as “terrible” and “very scary.” Both incidents have raised awareness regarding the rising number of aircraft-related collisions at Logan Airport, an issue that has become increasingly frequent over recent years.
Statistics show a worrying trend. A study by the FAA revealed that, in 2023 alone, wildlife strikes—a significant threat to aviation safety—increased by 14%, accounting for 19,603 incidents reported throughout the United States. Logan Airport, known for its proximity to migratory bird habitats, faces an elevated risk of bird strikes, heightening concerns about the safety of flights.
To combat this growing threat, initiatives have been put in place at the airport. One such effort is led by an expert known as the “owl man of Logan Airport,” who has successfully trapped and released over 900 Arctic raptors, including snowy owls, since he began working at the airport in 1981. This program aims to reduce the presence of these birds on the airfield, directly addressing the risk they pose to aircraft.
Given the FAA’s data, it is evident that wildlife strikes have previously resulted in both human fatalities and significant damage to aircraft, underscoring the importance of implementing effective preventative measures. The rise in incidents at Logan International Airport has prompted authorities to intensify their focus on safety and risk management, with an eye toward ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew members.
Moving forward, Massport’s commitment to improving airport safety will involve thorough investigations into the recent incidents, potential enhancements to vehicle and aircraft protocols, and continued efforts to mitigate wildlife risks. As Logan International Airport continues to serve as a vital transportation hub, the emphasis on safety remains paramount.
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