Investigation Launched by NTSB and FAA Following Runway Collision in Nashville

Another close call between two commercial airplanes on a runway in Nashville has prompted a new investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

An Alaska Airlines pilot had to slam on the brakes during takeoff at about 120 miles per hour, halting to a stop on the runway to avoid a possible collision on Thursday morning with a Southwest Airlines plane. NTSB announced the investigation in a post on X Thursday.

According to the FAA, the pilot of Alaska Airlines flight 369 aborted takeoff when the Southwest plane got cleared to cross the end of the same runway.

“The Alaska aircraft, on its way to Seattle, had received clearance for takeoff from Air Traffic Control,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “We’re grateful for the expertise of our pilots who immediately applied the brakes to prevent the incident from escalating.”

Although there were no injuries reported from the 176 passengers or six crew members, they said it felt like getting hit in a car accident.

The Boeing 737 Max “reported blown tires during the braking,” per the FAA, which the Seattle-based airline added was from the extreme heat build up during the abrupt stop.

Southwest has said it was in contact with the FAA and the NTSB and will participate in the agencies investigation.

This comes on the heels of another incident in Atlanta earlier this week when a Delta plane with more than 200 passengers crashed into the back of a smaller regional jet on the taxi way and knocked its tail off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation following a runway collision at Nashville International Airport on Tuesday. The incident involved two aircraft, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 and a FedEx Boeing 757, which collided on the runway while taxiing for departure.

According to reports, the Southwest Airlines flight was preparing to depart for St. Louis when the FedEx aircraft, which was arriving from Memphis, crossed the runway and struck the Southwest plane. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers and crew on board either aircraft.

The NTSB and FAA are now working together to determine the cause of the collision and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Investigators will be looking into a number of factors, including air traffic control communications, weather conditions, pilot actions, and airport procedures.

Runway collisions are rare but serious incidents that can have catastrophic consequences. In this case, it appears that quick thinking and skilled pilots were able to prevent a potentially disastrous outcome. However, it is crucial that the NTSB and FAA thoroughly investigate the incident to identify any systemic issues that may have contributed to the collision.

In the meantime, both Southwest Airlines and FedEx have released statements expressing their commitment to safety and cooperation with the investigation. The airlines have also stated that they are providing support to passengers and crew members who were involved in the incident.

As air travel continues to increase in popularity, it is essential that safety remains a top priority for all airlines and aviation authorities. The NTSB and FAA play a crucial role in ensuring that accidents and incidents are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent future occurrences.

Passengers can rest assured that the NTSB and FAA are working diligently to determine the cause of the runway collision in Nashville and to implement any necessary changes to improve safety in the aviation industry. In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to stay informed about safety procedures and to report any concerns or incidents they may encounter while flying.