Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 342

On February 20, 1981, Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 342, operated by a Boeing 707, nearly hit the transmitting antenna of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City during its approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport. The air traffic controller's intervention avoided the impact with less than 90 seconds of distance between the aircraft and the North Tower.

Incident

Flight 342 departed from Ministro Pistarini International Airport at 08:00 am, with scheduled stopovers at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport and Miami International Airport. After taking off from Miami around 6:30 pm, the aircraft headed to New York City with an estimated arrival time of 9:00 pm (Eastern Time). However, due to adverse weather conditions – dense clouds and rain – visibility was limited.

During the approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport, the crew was instructed to descend to 2700 ft but misinterpreted the command and descended to 1500 ft. At the time, the aircraft was on a collision course with the transmitting antenna located at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, whose total height was 1730 ft.

Air traffic controller Donald Zimmerman of the TRACON center in New York detected on radar that the aircraft was descending to a dangerous altitude. The ground proximity warning system (GPWS) was activated, and Zimmerman contacted the crew, asking for their altitude. Confirming that they were flying at 1500 ft, he immediately ordered, "Argentine 342, turn right immediately and set course 180°." Seconds later, he added, "Argentine 342, climb climb immediately, maintain 3000 ft."

The crew executed a right turn and began a climb. The aircraft flew away from Manhattan and reached an altitude at 3000 ft, averting disaster with a margin of less than 90 seconds. Subsequently, the crew completed a new approach and landed safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport.