FAA launches investigation into near-miss at LAX involving Gonzaga team plane and Delta jet.
LOS ANGELES — Harrowing footage captured a dramatic near-miss at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), involving a plane carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team and a Delta Airlines jet. The near-miss at LAX occurred Friday afternoon, raising concerns about runway safety during the busy holiday travel season.
The incident, which unfolded at approximately 4:30 p.m., involved Key Lime Air Flight 563, a chartered Embraer ERJ-135 carrying the Gonzaga team, and Delta Flight 471, an Airbus A321 headed to Atlanta. According to the New York Post, an air traffic controller’s urgent commands to “Stop, stop, stop!” were instrumental in preventing a disaster as the private jet prepared to cross the active runway.
Video captures terrifying moment
Footage shared on YouTube by Airline Videos shows the Delta jet barreling down the runway at full speed, lifting off just as the Gonzaga team’s plane came to an abrupt halt. A plane spotter filming the event reacted with shock. “Woo! Woo! Wow,” the individual exclaimed in the video, noting, “In the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never heard an air traffic controller tell a plane to ‘Stop, stop, stop.’”
The video, now widely circulated online, highlights the moment the chartered jet rolled forward before stopping just shy of crossing the runway’s edge. The Delta flight successfully took off, unaffected by the near-miss at LAX, according to the airline.
FAA investigation underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. An FAA spokesperson confirmed to NBC 4 Los Angeles that the Key Lime Air jet was instructed to hold short of the runway as the Delta flight was taking off. “When the Embraer E135 jet proceeded to cross the hold bars, air traffic controllers told the pilots to stop. The jet never crossed the runway edge line,” the spokesperson added.
Gonzaga University, whose team had just arrived from Washington ahead of a game against UCLA, expressed relief that the situation ended without harm. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the university said it “expects to receive more information related to this event, and is grateful that the incident ended safely for all.”
Busy holiday travel season
The near-miss at LAX occurred during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with an estimated 3.2 million passengers expected to pass through the airport between December 19 and the new year. The heightened traffic underscores the importance of precise coordination at major airports.
Airports like LAX are particularly vulnerable during peak travel periods, with thousands of takeoffs and landings occurring daily. Runway safety remains a top priority for federal regulators, and Friday’s incident further highlights the complexities involved in managing such a high volume of air traffic. Aviation experts have repeatedly called for additional measures, including enhanced technology and stricter protocols, to avoid potential catastrophes.
Gonzaga’s unexpected challenge
For Gonzaga University’s basketball team, the flight was supposed to be a routine trip ahead of a major game against UCLA. Instead, it turned into a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel. Although no injuries occurred, the experience likely left its mark on the team and coaching staff.
The Embraer ERJ-135, a small jet commonly used for charter flights, has a strong safety record, but runway incursions like this are rare. Gonzaga’s team, traveling for one of their most anticipated games of the season, escaped unharmed thanks to the quick actions of air traffic controllers.
A deadly week for air travel
This incident comes amid a particularly tragic week for aviation worldwide. On Sunday, a Jeju Air flight in South Korea crashed into a concrete barrier, killing 179 passengers. Just days later, an Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed in Kazakhstan, claiming 38 lives. Authorities suspect the latter incident may have been caused by Russian missiles.
According to Bloomberg, 2024 has become the deadliest year for air travel since 2018, with 318 fatalities reported globally. While such disasters are rare, they serve as sobering reminders of the importance of aviation safety measures.
Safety under scrutiny
As the FAA continues its investigation, the near-miss at LAX serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of air traffic management. Federal regulators often stress that runway safety requires coordination among pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground crews. The quick action by LAX controllers on Friday likely prevented what could have been a devastating event.
Despite the scare, the U.S. maintains one of the safest aviation records globally. Incidents like this, while alarming, are rare. Experts stress that continuous improvements in technology and training are essential to maintaining this high standard.
The FAA’s investigation will include a review of communication logs, radar data, and protocols followed by both pilots and controllers. Findings from the investigation will be used to strengthen safety measures, especially during peak travel times.
A timely reminder
As passengers flock to airports during the holidays, incidents like this remind travelers of the unseen complexities behind every takeoff and landing. For Gonzaga University, their focus now shifts to basketball, but their brief scare at LAX underscores the importance of vigilance in aviation safety.
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