NTSB probes near-collision of planes

Federal regulators are investigating the near-collision of a US Airways jet and a small cargo plane over Minneapolis.

The National Transportation Safety Board says the planes came within 50 to 100 feet of crashing near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last week.

The NTSB says US Airways Flight 1848, an Airbus 320, took off for Philadelphia with 90 passengers and five crew members shortly before 7 p.m. on Sept. 16. A Beech 99 operated by Bemidji Aviation Services took off on a parallel runway with only the pilot aboard.

The NTSB says the tower then instructed the US Airways crew to turn left, which caused it to cross paths with the cargo plane.

The NTSB estimates the planes came within 50 to 100 feet of each other, about 1,500 feet above the ground.

-- Associated Press

Washington Post transportation writer Ashley Halsey III has been reporting on near-collisions in recent months. Read his stories here:

Mistakes rise for Washington air traffic controllers

FAA downgrades safety violations

FAA sends experts to review safety rules

Near-collisions on the rise