In a concerning incident in October, a Southwest Airlines jet and a small private plane found themselves on the same runway due to an air traffic control clearance error, according to federal investigators.
On October 19 in Long Beach, California, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a significant aviation safety incident occurred. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 and a Diamond DA40, a four-seat private aircraft, were both inadvertently cleared to land on the same runway by an air traffic controller. This oversight led the two aircraft to come within approximately 900 feet of each other before the smaller plane managed to taxi off the runway, averting a potential collision.
The NTSB’s preliminary report indicates that the air traffic controller involved had instructed the crew of the Diamond DA40 to land on the main runway and to halt before reaching an intersecting runway—a standard procedure meant to manage traffic on busy airstrips. However, only two minutes after this clearance, the controller also directed the Southwest jet to land on the same main runway. This sequence of actions resulted in both aircraft being in dangerously close proximity as they completed their landing procedures.
As the Southwest pilots realized another aircraft was already present on the runway during their landing rollout, they immediately reported the unexpected situation to air traffic control. Both planes were subsequently able to taxi safely to their respective parking areas without any injuries or further incidents reported.
This episode is part of a troubling trend of similar occurrences where errors by air traffic controllers or pilots lead to near-miss situations. Despite these close calls, the swift actions of the pilots and air traffic personnel in this instance prevented any harm. The NTSB continues to investigate these events and interviews have been conducted with the controller, a supervisor, and other individuals involved, though details of these discussions have not been publicly disclosed.
The October runway incident underscores the critical importance of precise communication and vigilance within air traffic control operations. As federal investigators continue their inquiries, this case serves as a reminder of the potential risks inherent in aviation, emphasizing the need for continual review and improvement of air traffic management practices.
Source: Apnews
