Two aircraft came dangerously close to colliding at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Tuesday evening. An Alaska Airlines 737 and a FedEx 777 cargo jet were both attempting to land on runways which cross each other at approximately 8:17pm local time. FlightRadar24 data indicates the Alaska flight was travelling from Portland, Oregon, whilst the FedEx aircraft originated in Memphis, Tennessee. But controllers were forced to intervene at the last moment, telling the Alaska plane to abort its landing when it was merely 150 feet above the ground. Preliminary radar information suggests the two aircraft passed within as close as just 300 feet of one another. Michael McCormick, the former vice president of the FAA, attributed the incident to the difficulty of coordinating landings on intersecting runways. "It is a challenge for a tower controller to try to get that timing perfect it doesn't always work - and that's what happened in this case," he said. "The tower controller waited - and unfortunately in my opinion too long - and they had to send the aircraft on a go-around," Mr McCormick said. The FedEx aircraft continued its approach and touched down on the crossing runway as the Alaska jet pulled up. Both carriers issued statements on Thursday afternoon following the near-miss. "Following instructions from air traffic control, the flight crew of FedEx flight 721 landed safely without incident at Newark Liberty International Airport Tuesday," FedEx said in a statement. "On Tuesday, March 17, Alaska Airlines Flight 294 was cleared to land at Newark Liberty International Airport. "Air traffic control issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for. "We're aware the FAA and NTSB are investigating, and any further information would come from those agencies," Alaska Airlines said. FLIGHT CHAOS - READ MORE: Ryanair chaos as bailiffs board plane then try to SEIZE it after airline 'fails to refund passenger for delay' British Airways flight descends into chaos as unruly passengers sing, shout and PREACH for almost three hours in aisles Jet2 passengers banned for life after 'screaming brawl' erupts on flight The FAA describes go-arounds as a routine safety measure and has launched an investigation. The incident follows a similar near-miss in southern France , when an easyJet flight narrowly avoided a crash with a Nouvelair jet. Passengers on board the former flight reported hearing the sound of an incoming aircraft as the plane was preparing to take off. Several people on board the flight were said to have started crying. Its captain, who was said to have been crying and shaking, emerged from the cabin to tell flyers they had survived a close call by just three metres. The local mayor went on to demand that air traffic controllers be replaced with military personnel . According to preliminary findings from the investigation of France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA), the aircraft, coming from Tunisia, was preparing to land at the wrong runway. Mayor Christian Estrosi said troops had to run the airport's air traffic control after "unacceptable" behaviour from staff. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter