'Is That a Plane on the Runway?': Investigation Reveals Cause of Southwest Plane Near-Collision

A Southwest flight and a SkyWest flight used the same runway for San Diego at the same time

An investigation into a 2021 incident involving a Southwest Airlines jet and a smaller plane in San Diego found that a missed transmission led to a near-collision between the two planes.

On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board released its findings on the incident.

“On June 10, 2021, at approximately 5:45 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), a runway incursion occurred at San Diego International Airport when a SkyWest flight was positioned on runway 27 for takeoff at the same time a Southwest flight was cleared to landing on the same runway,” the 18-page report began.

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The report added that both planes were instructed to proceed down runway 27. An air traffic controller told the SkyWest plane to “line up and wait,” while the Southwest plane was told to “circle to approximately 0.84-last mile.”

“However, the transmission was jammed and the crew did not hear the instructions,” the NTSB explained.

In audio recordings obtained during the investigation by LiveATC, the NTSB heard the Southwest pilot ask, “Ah, is that a plane on the runway?”

View of San Diego International Airport.

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While both planes were in motion, the pilots operating the Southwest flight were instructed by air traffic controllers to “just move” the SkyWest plane instead of flying over it.

As directed by air traffic controllers, the Southwest plane flew approximately 950 feet to the side and 200 feet above the SkyWest plane before landing at San Diego International Airport, the NTSB found.

The report added that no passengers or crew members were injured on either flight, and no damage was reported to any of the aircraft.

As for the cause of the incident, the NTSB cited an air traffic controller who was distracted by a helicopter flying into the area and intercepted a radio call.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is now investigating another incident involving a recent near-collision with a Southwest flight. On August 11, Southwest Airlines Flight 2493 had a close encounter with a Cessna 560X at San Diego International Airport.

A report of a near-collision between planes in the US with 46 in July alone

Like the 2021 incident, both planes were also cleared to use the same runway, NBC 7 San Diego reports. Fortunately for all involved, automated video surveillance detected the situation and alerted the controller before an accident occurred.

A view of the air traffic controller’s screen.

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“The NTSB is investigating the August 11 San Diego Int’l airport runway incursion and overflight that occurred when a Cessna 560X was cleared to land on runway 27 and collided with a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 that was lined up and waiting on runway 27 ,” the organization confirmed in a tweet.

They added: “No injuries or damage were reported.”

“A preliminary review of the event indicated that the air traffic controller instructed the pilot of the Cessna Citation business jet to abort the landing because the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was still on the runway awaiting takeoff clearance,” the FAA said.

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They continued: “The controller previously cleared the Citation to land on runway 27 and then ordered Southwest Flight 2493 to taxi to that runway and await takeoff instructions. The facility’s automated surface surveillance system alerted the controller of the developing situation.”

About a week later, a Southwest Airlines flight from Houston, Texas to Cancun, Mexico had to make an emergency landing after a mechanical problem caused flames to erupt from its right wing.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE at the time, an airline spokesperson said, “The aircraft landed safely and has been taken out of service for inspection.” The second plane managed to continue the flight and take the passengers to their destination in Cancun.

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Source: HIS Education