Coverage dated April 19, 2026 to April 20, 2026

Southwest planes take evasive action after air traffic control error sends jets on collision course

Headline from NBC Chicago, on the newest of 2 developments

The Southwest pilots involved in this incident told the air traffic controller that they received alarms from their collision avoidance systems.

NBC Chicago's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Apr 20, 2026
Two Southwest Airlines planes came dangerously close in Nashville and had to take evasive action
Headline from WFMZ Allentown ·
Apr 21, 2026Newest
Southwest planes take evasive action after air traffic control error sends jets on collision course
Headline from NBC Chicago ·

13 articles, oldest first.

WFMZ Allentown
Two Southwest Airlines planes came dangerously close in Nashville and had to take evasive action (opens WFMZ Allentown)
Published Apr 19, 2026
WFMZ Allentown's feed description
Two Southwest Airlines planes had to take evasive action to avoid colliding Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, after an air traffic controller directed one pilot to turn into the path of
Fortune
Two Southwest Airline planes narrowly avoided a collision in Nashville on Saturday (opens Fortune)
Published Apr 19, 2026
Fortune's feed description
The air traffic controller directed one plane into the other's flight path, but both planes' onboard collision avoidance system averted the collision.
NBC Chicago
Southwest planes take evasive action after air traffic control error sends jets on collision course (opens NBC Chicago)
Published Apr 20, 2026
NBC Chicago's feed description
The Southwest pilots involved in this incident told the air traffic controller that they received alarms from their collision avoidance systems.
UPI
Southwest jets take evasive action to avoid mid-air crash over Nashville (opens UPI)
Published Apr 20, 2026
UPI's feed description
A Southwest flight was directed into the path of another flight leaving Nashville this weekend, causing them to pass within 500 feet of each other.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.