A close call between a plane and police helicopter at San Antonio International Airport is prompting new FAA safety rules nationwide.
SAN ANTONIO — A close call in the skies over San Antonio is now part of a nationwide push to improve aviation safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out new safety protocols after a recent near miss at San Antonio International Airport highlighted concerns about crowded airspace.
According to the FAA, the incident happened on Feb. 27, when an American Airlines flight was cleared to land while a police helicopter was flying through the final approach path.
Officials say the helicopter had to make a left-hand turn to avoid the plane, preventing a potential collision.
The FAA says the incident is one of multiple recent examples showing that current practices, especially relying on visual separation between aircraft, are no longer enough in busy airspace.
As a result, the agency is now requiring air traffic controllers to use radar separation instead, ensuring aircraft maintain a safer distance from one another.
The changes follow a year-long safety review launched after a deadly mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people.
Officials say the new protocols are designed to reduce the risk of similar incidents and improve safety in high-traffic areas like San Antonio.
KENS 5 reached out to American Airlines and airport officials for comment on the February incident and the new safety measures.
“We commend the FAA for taking these steps to enhance safety protocols pertaining to helicopter traffic in controlled airspace,” American Airlines said in a statement.