Swift Call Signs Save Two American 2482 Flights From Collision

A Phoenix air-traffic controller averted a potential disaster by distinguishing two American Airlines jets both designated as 2482—one arriving from Chicago, the other departing Phoenix—keeping them at safe distances as their flight paths overlapped. The controller labeled the planes as “American 2482 on the arrival” and “American 2482 on the departure,” ensuring clear instructions. Both flights landed safely; the FAA and American Airlines will investigate how the duplicate flight number occurred. An aviation-safety expert noted the system's safeguards prevented a collision, while suggesting a dispatcher may have missed the overlap.