NTSB says an air traffic controller’s faulty assumption led to a close call between planes in Texas
Associated PressAn air traffic’s controller’s faulty assumption that a Southwest Airlines jetliner would take off from a Texas airport before a landing FedEx plane reached the runway caused the planes to come within less than 200 feet of colliding in thick fog last year, federal investigators said Thursday. He noted the lack of airport ground radar or technology to warn pilots of the potential for collision, and said the air traffic controller and Southwest crew showed poor judgment and decision-making. “But the somber truth is that it only takes one” mistake that “can lead to tragedy, shatter our stellar safety record, and destroy public confidence in our aviation system.” According to FAA figures, last year there were 23 of the most serious “runway incursions” — close calls involving one or more planes on the ground — compared to 16 in 2022. “Our top priority is the safety of the flying public,” the agency said, “and the FAA and the aviation community continue to pursue the goal of zero serious close calls.”
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Top US accident investigator says close calls between planes show that aviation is under stress
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Close call, turbulent flight add to aviation safety concerns
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