Simple Flying
Luke Bodell
03 November 2025
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 experienced a loss of separation with a medical helicopter near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), forcing the passenger jet to go around.
ATC then informed the Southwest flight crew of the presence of a helicopter at two o'clock, adding that the helicopter had the 737 in sight and would maintain separation. ATC then requested the helicopter to pass behind the 737, to which the helicopter pilot replied that it would "be better if we go above it and in front of it if we can," which ATC agreed to.
A few seconds later, both aircraft were at an identical altitude of 2,075 feet, which prompted a TCAS RA to sound in the Southwest cockpit. The 737 subsequently deviated to the right, and a collision was fortunately averted.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to investigate the incident, which is the latest near-miss in the US amid a federal government shutdown.
