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Authorities investigating close call between Alaska Airlines and FedEx planes landing at Newark

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A close call between a commercial airliner and a cargo plane attempting to land on crossing runways at Newark Liberty International Airport was being investigated Thursday by federal aviation officials.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating Tuesday night’s incident during which an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 overflew a FedEx Boeing 777 at the busy New York City area airport.

An air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 from Portland, Oregon, to perform a go around — that is, discontinue its landing approach and circle around for a new approach to land — because FedEx Flight 721 from Memphis, Tennessee, was cleared for a final approach to an intersecting runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which also was investigating.

Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement that the flight was cleared to land at Newark and that air traffic control “issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for.” There were 171 passengers and 6 crew members on board the flight, according to the airline.

FedEx said in a prepared statement that its flight crew followed instructions from air traffic control and landed safely.

Inside country legend Alan Jackson’s triumphant finale concert

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The time has come for country music superstar Alan Jackson to hang up his signature Stetson hat. The genre traditionalist from Newnan, Georgia, whose career kicked off in the 1980s and exploded shortly thereafter in the oft-cited '90s country wave with heartfelt songs for the working man who'd rather be drinking, or fishing, or ideally both, has sold over 60 million records across his storied career. And on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, he brought his touring career to an end. The event titled “Last Call: One More for the Road — The Finale" was a triumphant swan song for the performer, a celebration of his life and career with some help from the artists he directly inspired. Nashville's all-stars came out in droves
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