Southwest Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff After Mistakenly Entering Taxiway at Orlando Airport
A Southwest Airlines flight preparing for departure from Orlando International Airport on Thursday morning mistakenly began its takeoff roll on a taxiway rather than the designated runway.
The incident was quickly halted after an air traffic controller canceled the takeoff clearance, preventing a potential accident, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, Southwest Flight 3278, a Boeing 737-800, was scheduled to fly from Orlando to Albany, New York. The flight crew had received clearance for takeoff but mistakenly aligned with a parallel taxiway instead of the correct runway. Taxiways are pathways designed for aircraft movement on the ground, while runways are intended for takeoffs and landings.
As the aircraft began accelerating, air traffic controllers identified the mistake and immediately intervened, instructing the pilots to abort the takeoff. The plane came to a stop safely, and no injuries were reported.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that passengers were placed on another aircraft to continue their journey to Albany. The involved aircraft was removed from service to allow for further investigation.
In a statement, Southwest Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to safety, saying:
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. The airline is fully cooperating with both agencies.
This incident comes amid increased scrutiny of US aviation safety following several close calls at major airports in recent years. In response to growing concerns, the FAA has announced plans to upgrade safety technology at 74 airports by 2026 to help detect runway incursions.
Over the past two years, the aviation industry has seen a rise in near-miss incidents, often linked to staffing shortages in air traffic control. The FAA is also conducting a risk audit of the busiest US airports to identify potential safety gaps and prevent future mishaps.
With input from New York Post, CBS News, and Independent.
