J4) Top 10 Plane & Air Disaster Near-Misses Caught on Camera

 Top 10 Plane & Air Disaster Near-Misses Caught on Camera

Aviation is one of the safest modes of transport in the world, but even with strict regulations, cutting-edge technology, and highly trained pilots, there are moments when disaster almost strikes. These near-miss incidents, many of them captured on camera, remind us how quickly situations can escalate in the skies or on busy runways. They also show us the razor-thin margins between catastrophe and survival. Here are ten of the most shocking plane and air disaster near-misses ever caught on camera.

1. Nice, France – EasyJet and Nouvelair A320

In September 2025, passengers and aviation fans witnessed a terrifying moment at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. A Nouvelair Airbus A320, arriving from Tunis, mistakenly aligned with the wrong runway in heavy rain. It descended directly toward a runway where an EasyJet A320 was preparing for takeoff. The Nouvelair jet passed just feet above the parked EasyJet plane before aborting its landing at the very last second. Flight tracking footage and eyewitness reports confirmed the terrifyingly close call, making it one of the most talked-about near-disasters in recent years.

2. Barcelona, Spain – UTair 767 and Aerolíneas Argentinas A340

In July 2014, plane spotters at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport caught footage of a UTair Boeing 767 on final approach. Just as it was about to land, an Aerolíneas Argentinas A340 began taxiing across the runway. With seconds to spare, the UTair pilots executed a go-around, pulling the plane back into the sky and avoiding a potentially catastrophic collision. The video quickly went viral, serving as a vivid example of how crucial communication between air traffic controllers and pilots is.

3. Los Angeles, USA – Delta 471 and Key Lime Air Flight 563

In December 2024, Los Angeles International Airport was the stage for another frightening incident. A Key Lime Air jet, carrying the Gonzaga University basketball team, began crossing the runway just as Delta Flight 471 was taking off. Air traffic controllers could be heard frantically yelling “Stop, stop, stop!” as the private jet halted just in time. The Delta aircraft, already speeding down the runway, continued its takeoff roll. The incident was caught live on a plane-spotting stream, leaving viewers stunned by how close disaster had come.

4. Chicago Midway, USA – Southwest Airlines vs. Private Jet

A busy evening at Chicago’s Midway Airport nearly turned deadly when a Southwest Airlines jet was forced to abort its landing. As the aircraft descended, a private jet unexpectedly crossed the runway without clearance. The Southwest pilots reacted instantly, pulling up into a go-around maneuver. The chilling moment was caught on camera, prompting an FAA investigation and raising questions about runway safety and airfield coordination.

5. San Francisco, USA – United vs. Air Canada Runway Scare

In 2025, San Francisco International Airport became the focus of attention when an Air Canada aircraft was cleared for takeoff while a United Airlines plane was crossing the same runway. The United crew stopped just in time to avoid disaster, while the Air Canada plane powered forward. Video evidence and radar tracking highlighted just how close the two aircraft came to colliding. For one of the busiest airports in the U.S., the incident sparked serious debate about workload pressures on air traffic controllers.

6. Mumbai, India – IndiGo and Air India Close Call

Mumbai Airport has some of the most congested runways in the world, and in one particularly tense moment, an IndiGo Airbus A320 was landing while an Air India aircraft began its takeoff on the same strip. Cameras caught the dramatic sequence, which led to the suspension of air traffic staff. While both planes carried out their maneuvers safely, the footage revealed just how razor-thin the safety margins can be when timing and communication fail.

7. New York, USA – JFK Runway Mix-Up

New York’s JFK Airport has also seen its share of near-disasters. In one widely circulated incident, two large jets were captured nearly colliding as one began taxiing across an active runway while another aircraft was taking off. The quick reaction of pilots and ground staff averted a major accident, and surveillance cameras captured the dramatic visuals. The FAA labeled it a “serious runway incursion” and pushed for stricter procedural checks.

8. Osaka, Japan – Close Call in Heavy Rain

In Japan, footage surfaced of a hair-raising event in Osaka when two aircraft came dangerously close on a rain-soaked runway. Poor visibility contributed to the confusion, with one plane lined up to land while another was still taxiing. The landing aircraft pulled up with only seconds to spare, and the moment was captured on security footage. Japanese aviation authorities later implemented additional safeguards for bad-weather operations.

9. San Diego, USA – Midair Close Encounter

Not all near misses happen on the ground. In San Diego, two passenger planes were recorded narrowly avoiding each other in midair. Caught on a passenger’s phone camera, the two jets appeared to pass at alarming proximity, giving travelers a frightening view of just how close they had come. Air traffic control confirmed that safety margins were breached, and the incident sparked renewed calls for improvements to radar-based separation systems.

10. Toronto, Canada – Go-Around Drama

Toronto Pearson International Airport was the site of another viral video showing an aircraft executing a sharp go-around maneuver after spotting another plane still on its landing runway. The footage shows the landing plane pulling up steeply, engines roaring, as passengers screamed in alarm. The quick thinking of the pilots prevented a major accident, proving once again that pilot training and quick decision-making are the ultimate line of defense in high-stakes situations.

These top ten near-miss incidents remind us of just how high the stakes are in aviation. Every successful flight relies on perfect coordination between pilots, controllers, and ground staff, but as these videos show, even the smallest lapse can push two aircraft dangerously close to disaster. While shocking to watch, each captured incident has provided valuable lessons that make flying safer for everyone. Aviation remains remarkably safe, but these heart-stopping moments reveal just how close humanity sometimes comes to catastrophe — and how equally impressive it is when disaster is averted.

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