Southwest 737s avoid collision by 500 feet near Nashville after ATC error, FAA investigating
Two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s came within 500 feet of each other near Nashville International Airport on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after air traffic control directed an inbound flight performing a go-around into the path of a departing aircraft. Cockpit collision avoidance systems activated in both aircraft, prompting emergency evasive maneuvers. Flight 507 from Myrtle Beach and Flight 1152 departing for Knoxville both landed safely with no injuries, but the FAA has launched an investigation into the air traffic control instructions that created the conflict.
The incident occurred during gusty wind conditions that forced the initial go-around. Southwest passengers on flights through Nashville should monitor flight status for potential delays as the FAA reviews procedures at the airport’s parallel runways.
How air traffic control created a collision course
Flight 507 was attempting to land on Runway 2L at Nashville International Airport at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time when gusty conditions forced the crew to abort the approach and initiate a go-around — a standard safety procedure. Air traffic control then instructed the crew to turn right and climb to 3,000 feet.
That instruction placed Flight 507 directly in the path of Flight 1152, which was departing from the adjacent Runway 2R and climbing through 2,000 feet en route to Knoxville.
The aircraft passed within 500 feet of vertical separation — one directly above the other. Collision alarms known as Traffic Collision Avoidance System Resolution Alerts activated in both cockpits, directing one crew to climb and the other to descend. Both crews followed the automated instructions, and the aircraft separated safely.
The FAA confirmed that air traffic control instructions “put the flight in the path of another airplane,” and both flight crews responded to onboard alerts. Southwest Airlines stated that pilots followed ATC instructions and onboard systems during the event, and both flights completed their journeys without further issue. The airline is cooperating with the FAA investigation into the incident.
| Time | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 p.m. | Flight 507 initiates go-around due to gusty winds | Standard safety procedure |
| 5:31 p.m. | ATC instructs Flight 507 to turn right, climb to 3,000 ft | Places aircraft in path of departing Flight 1152 |
| 5:31 p.m. | TCAS alerts activate in both cockpits at 500 ft separation | Emergency evasive maneuvers executed |
| 5:32 p.m. | Both aircraft separate safely | No injuries, flights continue to destination |
What collision avoidance systems did to prevent disaster
The Traffic Collision Avoidance System is a last-resort automated defense installed in all commercial aircraft operating in US airspace. When two aircraft converge on a collision course, TCAS calculates closure rates and issues coordinated instructions to both cockpits — one crew receives a climb command, the other a descent command.
Pilots are trained to follow TCAS Resolution Alerts immediately, even if those instructions contradict air traffic control clearances. In this case, the system detected the conflict created by ATC’s turn instruction and directed the crews to separate vertically before the aircraft occupied the same airspace.
The FAA investigated a similar Southwest near-miss at Nashville in 2023 involving a go-around and a departing flight on parallel runways. That review resulted in procedural changes but no fines or suspensions. The current investigation will determine whether Saturday’s incident stemmed from controller error, inadequate separation standards for parallel runway operations during gusty conditions, or a combination of factors.
Passengers on both flights were unaware of the incident as it unfolded. One traveler departing Nashville on a Southwest flight an hour later told reporters, “I was just drinking my coffee, there were no obvious signs that anything was happening.” The lack of visible disruption reflects the speed at which modern collision avoidance systems operate — the entire sequence from alert to resolution took less than 60 seconds.
What to do if you have a Nashville booking
The FAA investigation may result in temporary procedural changes at Nashville International Airport that affect departure throughput, particularly during gusty wind conditions when go-arounds become more frequent.
- Check flight status before departure: Monitor southwest.com/flight-status for real-time updates on flights involving Nashville, particularly routes from Myrtle Beach and to Knoxville. Delays of 20–45 minutes are possible on 10–20% of flights while the review is underway.
- Allow extra connection time: If connecting through Nashville on Southwest, add 60 minutes to your minimum connection window until the FAA completes its procedural review — expected within 30–60 days.
- File for compensation if delayed: US Department of Transportation rules require refunds for significant delays or cancellations if the airline notified you more than 14 days prior. File complaints at transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint if your flight is affected.
- Consider alternative routes: If your travel is time-sensitive and involves Nashville connections, check direct flight options or connections through Southwest’s other hubs at Dallas Love Field or Chicago Midway.
Watch: The FAA’s preliminary findings release, expected within 30–60 days, will reveal whether air traffic control error is confirmed and whether Nashville’s parallel runway spacing rules will be adjusted, potentially affecting 10–15% of departures.
What is a TCAS Resolution Alert and why do pilots follow it over ATC instructions?
TCAS Resolution Alerts are automated collision avoidance commands issued when two aircraft are on a converging path. Pilots are trained to follow these alerts immediately because the system calculates closure rates faster than human controllers can react, and the alerts are coordinated between both aircraft to ensure one climbs while the other descends. Federal regulations require pilots to comply with TCAS RAs even if they contradict air traffic control clearances.
How common are near-miss incidents at Nashville International Airport?
The FAA investigated a similar Southwest near-miss at Nashville in 2023 involving parallel runway operations during a go-around. That incident resulted in procedural reviews but no fines. Nashville operates two parallel runways (2L and 2R) that handle simultaneous arrivals and departures, which increases complexity during gusty wind conditions when go-arounds become more frequent.
Will Southwest Airlines face penalties from this incident?
The FAA investigation will determine whether the airline, air traffic control, or both share responsibility for the loss of separation. Southwest has stated that its pilots followed both ATC instructions and onboard collision avoidance alerts as trained. If the investigation concludes that ATC error was the primary cause, no airline penalties are expected. If pilot deviation from clearances contributed, the FAA could issue fines or require additional training.
What separation standards apply to parallel runway operations?
Federal regulations require 1,000 feet of vertical separation or 5 nautical miles of lateral separation between aircraft in controlled airspace. When aircraft operate on parallel runways, controllers must ensure these minimums are maintained even during go-arounds and simultaneous departures. The 500-foot separation in this incident violated those standards, triggering the TCAS alerts and the FAA investigation.
