NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A close call between two commercial aircraft at Nashville International Airport is drawing fresh scrutiny to ongoing air traffic control staffing shortages, with an aviation attorney warning the issue could have serious safety implications if left unaddressed.

The incident occurred Saturday, April 18, at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, when Southwest Airlines Flight 507, arriving from Myrtle Beach, was forced to abort its landing due to severe wind conditions. During the go-around maneuver, pilots were directed by air traffic control to turn right — placing the aircraft on a potential collision course with Southwest Flight 1152, which was preparing for departure to Knoxville.

According to flight tracking data, the two aircraft came within an estimated 500 feet of each other before Flight 507 took evasive action to avoid a midair conflict.

Aviation attorney Keith Williams, founder of Keith Williams Law Group, said the incident highlights a broader, systemic concern.
“Near-miss events like this are rarely isolated,” Williams said. “Across the country, air traffic control towers are operating with fewer personnel than needed. That puts immense pressure on controllers to manage increasingly complex traffic under demanding conditions.”

Williams noted that controller fatigue and extended work hours can increase the likelihood of errors.

“When staffing levels drop, the margin for error shrinks,” he said. “Controllers are asked to do more with less — often while dealing with fatigue and high stress. That combination can lead to lapses in judgment at critical moments.”

The Federal Aviation Administration has acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges in recent years, as retirements and training bottlenecks outpace new hires. Industry experts have warned that without accelerated recruitment and retention efforts, such near-miss incidents could become more frequent.

“This should serve as a wake-up call,” Williams added. “Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, but maintaining that standard requires sustained investment in the people responsible for keeping our skies safe.”
No injuries were reported in the incident, and both flights continued safely to their destinations.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.


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* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group
With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.