A Concorde like the one pictured here abruptly diverted its landing, causing it to come too close to another plane that was taking off

May 25, 1999
Web posted at: 5:25 PM EDT (2125 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into a close call between a British Airways Concorde and an American Airlines 767 at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

FAA spokesman Jim Peters told CNN the two planes came within a mile of each other in the air, violating a three-mile separation rule. But Peters said it would be inaccurate to classify the proximity of the two planes as "dangerously close."

Peters said the Concorde, with about 65 people on board, was one mile from the runway when the pilot decided to divert the landing due to poor visibility.

The Concorde reportedly then veered into the airspace of a parallel runway where the American plane, bound for London with 112 people on board, was taking off.

The supersonic Concorde, arriving from London, reportedly circled and landed about 12 minutes after the incident.

Peters said the Concorde pilot was three miles beyond the point at which he should have advised air traffic controllers he was aborting the landing.

British Airways spokesman John Lampl said the Concorde pilot executed "a routine go-around" because of bad weather. He said British Airways will cooperate fully with the FAA investigation.

A near-collision report filed by the American 767 pilots said the distance of the Concorde plane was closer to 500 feet vertically and 1500 feet horizontally.