CNN

On eve of safety summit, FAA investigates another runway close call

Mar 15, 2023, 6:00 AM
The seventh runway close call this year between commercial airliners took place at Reagan National ...
The seventh runway close call this year between commercial airliners took place at Reagan National Airport on March 7, according to the FAA. Photo credit: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images/FILE

 (CNN) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating yet another close call between commercial airliners, this time at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC — the seventh since the start of this year.

On March 7, Republic Airways Flight 4736 crossed a runway, without clearance, that United Airlines Flight 2003 was using for takeoff, according to a preliminary review, the FAA said. The United pilot had just been cleared for takeoff from the runway, the agency said.

“An air traffic controller noticed the situation and immediately canceled the takeoff clearance for the United flight,” the FAA said.

Recordings accessed from LiveATC.net show air traffic controllers in the tower exclaiming, “United 2003 cancel takeoff clearance!” The crew of the United flight responded, “Aborting takeoff, United 2003.”

The pilot of the Republic flight had been cleared to cross a different runway, “but turned on the wrong taxiway,” the FAA said.

The news of yet another close call comes ahead of Wednesday’s FAA safety summit, the first of its kind since 2009. The summit kicks off a sweeping safety review that the agency is conducting in the wake of these incursions.

Last month, a Southwest passenger jet and a FedEx cargo plane came as close as 100 feet from colliding at an Austin, Texas, airport, and it was a pilot — not air traffic controllers — who averted disaster, according to Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

And in January, there was an alarming close call similar to this latest one. A Delta Air Lines flight was taking off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport when air traffic controllers “noticed another aircraft crossing the runway in front of the departing jetliner,” the FAA said in a statement.

“S–t!” exclaimed the controller from the tower of John F. Kennedy International Airport on Friday night. “Delta 1943 cancel takeoff clearance!”

The Delta plane “stopped its takeoff roll approximately 1,000 feet before reaching the point where American Airlines Flight 106, a Boeing 777, had crossed from an adjacent taxiway,” the FAA said.

The NTSB — which is investigating the six other runway incursions involving commercial airliners — told CNN it is aware of the latest incident but has not yet launched an investigation.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

CNN

Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hilton ...
Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN

Why a Trump indictment would have huge political and national implications

  (CNN) — America’s political and legal institutions are bracing for their next extreme test posed by former President Donald Trump. Trump’s prediction on Saturday that he could be arrested this week — and his attempt to ignite a preemptive backlash — made what had been the theoretical prospect of an ex-president and 2024 candidate being criminally charged […]
15 hours ago
Jason Sudeikis attends the Apple Original Series "Ted Lasso" Season 3 Red Carpet Premiere at Westwo...
Arlette Saenz, CNN

Jason Sudeikis and ‘Ted Lasso’ cast will meet with Biden for mental health discussion

A White House official said the meeting will focus on discussing "the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing."
15 hours ago
Bruce Willis and Emma Heming (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)...
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming marks his birthday with moving message about grief

Originally Published: 19 MAR 23 15:46 ET Updated: 19 MAR 23 19:04 ET     (CNN) — As Bruce Willis turned 68 on Sunday, his wife Emma Heming marked the day with a candid message about caring for someone living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Related: Bruce Willis is diagnosed with aphasia. A USU expert explains what that […]
15 hours ago
A damaged car and rubble from a house affected by the earthquake are pictured in Cuenca, Ecuador. M...
Maija Ehlinger, Marlon Sorto, Abel Alvarado and Heather Chen, CNN

At least 13 dead after magnitude 6.8 earthquake shakes Ecuador

At least 13 people died after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon.
2 days ago
The FDA and CDC are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections linked to frozen orga...
Brenda Goodman, CNN

Frozen strawberries sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s and Aldi recalled after hepatitis A infections

Frozen organic strawberries sold at multiple stores are being recalled after they were tied to an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Washington state.
4 days ago
This photo taken from video released on Thursday, March 16, 2023, shows a Russian Su-27 approaching...
Oren Liebermann, CNN

US releases footage of Russian fighter jet forcing down drone over Black Sea

A senior Biden administration official said the footage "absolutely confirms" that there was a physical collision and dumping of fuel, but it does not confirm the pilot's intent.
5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
Happy joyful smiling casual satisfied woman learning and communicates in sign language online using...
Sorenson

The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success

Here are some of the best resources to make your workplace work better for Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees.
On eve of safety summit, FAA investigates another runway close call