A potential runway collision was averted at Nashville International Airport (BNA), when the pilot of Alaska Airlines Flight 369 aborted takeoff to avoid another aircraft on the runway.
The Seattle-bound flight, which had received clearance for takeoff on Thursday morning, was forced to stop abruptly due to a “potential traffic conflict” with a Southwest Airlines plane that was cleared to cross the same runway, according to an Alaska Airlines spokesperson.
The pilot’s quick decision to apply the brakes brought the aircraft to a halt, preventing a more serious incident. The sudden stop, however, caused the plane’s tires to deflate from the heat buildup, as designed for such situations. All 176 passengers and crew aboard the Alaska Airlines flight were safely deplaned and returned to the terminal. Another aircraft was dispatched to transport them to Seattle later that evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 had been cleared to cross the runway. The FAA is now investigating the incident to determine how both planes ended up on the same runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also involved in the investigation, and both airlines have pledged full cooperation.
This close call occurred just two days after a collision between two planes on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In that incident, a Delta Airbus A350 clipped the tail of an Endeavor Air Bombardier CRJ900, resulting in damage to both planes but no injuries.
While no injuries were reported in the Nashville event, the FAA investigation will look into the role of runway safety technology, which had been slated for implementation at Nashville International Airport. The Surface Awareness Initiative, a new system designed to reduce the risk of runway incursions, was expected to be operational by July. It is unclear if the technology was in use at the time of the incident.
Both Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety in the wake of the near miss, with Alaska Airlines expressing gratitude for the expertise of their pilots. The quick action averted what could have been a serious accident, highlighting the importance of constant vigilance and effective communication between air traffic control and flight crews.
With input from FOX News, New York Post, CBS News.
