An Embraer E175
operated by 
Alaska Airlines’
wholly-owned regional subsidiary, Horizon Air
, reportedly experienced a close call during its approach in Redmond, Oregon, last week. The ordeal prompted the pilots to abort landing and go around the airport.
One passenger onboard the flight recalled seeing another aircraft coming toward the E175 from below. The plane in question was an aerial wildland firefighting air tanker
used to attend to the several wildfires currently burning around the state.
Details of the incident
According to News Channel 21, the Central Oregon local NBC and The CW affiliate, the flight involved in the incident was QX2083 from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
on October 9th. Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft, registered as N636QX, was approaching Runway 05 at Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) around 12:48.
Photo: Flightradar24
Two minutes later, data indicates the E175 was only 275 feet away from a BAe 146
air tanker operated by Neptune Aviation Services. The aircraft was flying southwest at an altitude of 3,850 feet, while the E175 was headed northwest at 4,125 feet. Peter Steinbach, one of the passengers onboard, reportedly said the pilot changed course and pulled the plane up to delay the landing.
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Data shows the E175 climbed in altitude and flew over RDM. It reached 9,400 feet and subsequently 9,900 feet as it performed a go-around. The aircraft landed safely at 13:12 and taxied to the gate without incident. Steinbach reportedly asked the pilot about the event, and the pilot confirmed that he had to intervene. Simple Flying reached out to Steinbach, Alaska, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
for confirmation of the incident, but has not received a response.
A busy airspace
The news of yet another close call undoubtedly raises questions about air traffic control staffing. Steinbach told News Channel 21 that the airspace is typically busy around RDM with both commercial flights and general aircraft.
“What I understand about Redmond Airport is it has a unique combination of commercial aircraft, general aircraft, it has a few flight schools, and to add to all of that right now you have alot of firefighting operations. So you have four different types of aircraft operating with four different missions with four different types of aircraft, with four different skill levels and priorities.”
About the air tanker
The BAe 146 air tanker, registered as N473NA, was operating what appeared to be a training mission. It took off from Runway 29 at RDM at 12:48, and after passing QX2083, it headed east, climbing to as high as 9,400 feet. 15 minutes into its flight, the aircraft was just east of the Ochoco Mountains and gradually descended to 7,000 feet before turning around and climbing back to around 8,400 feet. The plane landed back at RDM at 13:29. According to FlightAware, the flight was the second of three legs that all traveled to the same area.
Photo: Neptune Aviation Services
The aircraft did not seem to travel near a currently burning wildfire, as suggested by the Watch Duty Wildfire Map. Simple Flying contacted Neptune Aviation Services for comment late Sunday, but a representative could not be immediately reached.
Several wildfires
are still burning around Central Oregon, however, according to News Channel 21. The Little Lava Fire, located about 15 miles southwest of Bend, has been burning for over a month. So far, the fire has scorched nearly 14,900 acres, and more than 160 firefighting personnel are working to contain the blaze.
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