The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after a close call occurred on the runway at LAX Airport.
The incident occurred around 4:20 p.m. Friday as an Embraer E135 chartered flight carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team from Spokane, Washington, was taxiing to the gate after landing.
The plane, operated by Denver-based charter airline Key Lime Air, was told to stop in a spot to avoid crossing the runway into the takeoff path of a Delta Air Lines commercial flight bound for Atlanta. was.
The Gonzaga University team’s plane appeared to have passed its intended holding point and instructed air traffic controllers at LAX Tower to “stop, stop, stop.”
“Air traffic controllers directed Key Lime Flight 563 not to cross the runway at Los Angeles International Airport as a second aircraft was taking off from the runway at the time,” an FAA spokesperson said. admitted.
“As the Embraer E135 aircraft attempted to cross the hold bar, air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to stop. The aircraft never crossed the runway threshold,” the spokesperson added, adding that the federal agency also confirmed that it had begun an investigation into the incident.
The incident occurred while YouTube streamer Airline Video Live was live streaming flights arriving and departing from LAX airport. This livestream also includes live audio from air traffic controllers.
“Key Lime Air takes pride in our pilots and training model, which requires the highest caliber in the industry today. The safety of those entrusted to us is our top priority.” John Coleman, Lime Air’s executive vice president, said in a statement to NBC on Saturday.
“We are working with the FAA within our own safety management system to review the facts of the incident and will respond accordingly,” Coleman added.
A Gonzaga University spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
“Delta Flight 471 is operating normally and we have not heard any communication from the FAA regarding this flight,” the airline’s communications director said Saturday.
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