Aviation authorities are investigating a terrifying near-miss at San Diego International Airport that saw a passenger jet carrying 123 people cross an active runway just as a cargo aircraft was beginning its takeoff roll.
The serious incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight 708 from San Diego to Honolulu, entered runway 27 without proper clearance. Simultaneously, a FedEx Boeing 767 freighter had already received takeoff authorization and was accelerating down the same runway.
Heart-Stopping Moments on the Tarmac
According to preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FedEx pilots were forced to execute an abrupt rejected takeoff, bringing their heavily laden cargo jet to a emergency stop. The two aircraft came within an estimated 100 feet of each other in what aviation experts are calling a potentially catastrophic close call.
"This is exactly the type of scenario that keeps air traffic controllers awake at night," said former commercial pilot and aviation safety analyst Michael Daniels. "We're talking about seconds and metres separating a routine flight from an unimaginable tragedy."
Emergency Response and Investigation
Airport emergency services immediately responded to the scene, though fortunately neither aircraft sustained damage and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The Southwest flight eventually continued to Hawaii after extensive safety checks, arriving several hours behind schedule.
The NTSB has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on communication protocols between air traffic control and cockpit crews. Preliminary findings suggest the Southwest pilots may have misunderstood their taxi instructions, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Growing Concerns About Runway Safety
This incident marks the latest in a series of concerning runway incursions at US airports. Aviation safety records show several similar close calls have occurred nationwide in recent months, prompting renewed focus on airport ground operations and pilot training.
"While aviation remains the safest form of travel, incidents like this serve as critical reminders that continuous improvement in safety procedures is non-negotiable," the NTSB stated in their preliminary report.
Both Southwest Airlines and FedEx have confirmed they are fully cooperating with investigators and conducting internal reviews of the incident.
