FAA investigates helicopter and jet nearly crash in NJ [Video]

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The Federal Aviation Administration is actively investigating a close call between a helicopter and a United Airlines jet at Newark Liberty International Airport on Oct. 9.

The incident happened around 6:15 p.m. when a pilot of a Eurocopter EC145 helicopter received a warning from an air traffic controller, FAA officials said.

The controller instructed the helicopter pilot to change their course away from Runway 22R due to the departure of United Airlines flight 2206, a Houston-bound Boeing 767-300 jet on a parallel runway.

A safe separation of the two aircrafts was maintained, according to the FAA, which said it’s investigating the incident.

The flight arrived at its destination in Houston at 8:32 p.m. central time, as indicated by Flight Aware data.

“We have nothing more to add to what the FAA said,” United Airlines spokesperson commented.