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Three planes avoid mid-air collision at Reagan National Airport

Posted at 7:50 AM, Aug 02, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-02 14:22:15-04

WASHINGTON (CNN)- Three planes may have been on a collision course at Reagan National Airport on Tuesday, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The paper cited federal sources who said air traffic controllers launched two outbound commuter flights directly at a landing plane.

The Post said the planes were about 12 seconds from a crash when the air traffic controller realized the mistake.

The paper’s source said Tuesday’s close call was a breakdown of communication.

The Federal Aviation Association released a statement to the Washington Post saying it is investigating.