Alaska Airlines Aborts Takeoff to Prevent Collision at Nashville Airport
An Alaska Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a Southwest jet at Nashville International Airport. The incident, under investigation by the FAA and NTSB, highlights ongoing efforts to improve airport safety.
A potential collision was averted at Nashville International Airport when an Alaska Airlines flight aborted its takeoff to avoid a Southwest Airlines jet. The incident, which occurred on September 12, 2024, is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX, carrying 176 passengers and bound for Seattle, had received clearance for takeoff. However, the crew was forced to apply hard braking when they noticed a Southwest Airlines aircraft crossing the end of the runway. As a result of the emergency maneuver, the Alaska Airlines plane's tires deflated, a design feature intended to manage heat buildup during intense braking situations.
Alaska Airlines, founded in 1932 and headquartered in SeaTac, Washington, commended their pilots' expertise in handling the situation. The airline stated, "Our pilots train for these situations and they handled the situation expertly." Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier in the week when a Delta Air Lines plane clipped a regional jet in Atlanta, causing significant damage to the smaller aircraft's tail. These events have raised concerns about airport safety and the strain on the aviation system as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
The FAA, established in 1958 to regulate civil aviation in the United States, has been actively working to address these safety concerns. Michael Whitaker, who was appointed as FAA Administrator in 2023, spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Aerospace Summit on September 10, 2024. He reported progress in reducing runway incursions, stating that incidents have decreased by over 50% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year.
"So that's progress. But if you look at that, there's no excuse for that to be happening, so we're going to keep monitoring."
The FAA has been implementing new technologies and enhancing training for air traffic controllers to mitigate the risk of near-misses at airports. These efforts come in response to a series of alarming incidents in early 2023 that caught the attention of aviation regulators and safety experts.
As the investigations into the Nashville incident continue, both Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines have expressed their commitment to cooperating fully with the authorities. The aviation industry remains focused on maintaining the highest safety standards while managing the challenges of increased air traffic and operational complexities.
