Summary

  • NTSB investigates Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 taking off from a closed runway.
  • Air traffic control warned Southwest about the closed runway, but the aircraft took off safely.
  • Southwest is cooperating with the NTSB and FAA to understand the incident.

The NTSB has launched an investigation into an incident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 earlier this week. The early morning departure, flight 4805, departed from a runway that was closed.

Taking off from a closed runway

On June 25, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 was scheduled to operate a flight from Portland International Jetport in Maine to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The departure time was scheduled for 05:40, when runway 11/29 was closed except for crossing and taxi. The aircraft took off from the closed runway and there was reported a ground vehicle crossing at the time.

Nothing happened, and the aircraft was able to fly safely to its destination, but the NTSB is launching an investigation. According to a NOTAM issued on June 20, during the week, runway 11/29 is closed from 22:30 to 05:45, except for taxi and crossing traffic.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 Taxiing at DEN

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Simple Flying contacted Southwest for a statement and the airline replied,

“Southwest Airlines is engaged with the NTSB and FAA to understand the circumstances of an early morning Southwest departure on Tuesday, June 25, of Flight 4805 from Portland International Jetport. After departure, the aircraft continued safely to its destination. “

Air traffic control audio obtained by WMTW reveals that controllers made it clear to Southwest the runway was closed.

“Southwest turning onto 29, just so you know there’s still a vehicle in the runway and it is closed.”

Another person on the air traffic communications is heard asking,

“Did you ever get ahold of that Southwest plane that went airborne? It’s still kind of MIA in that regard.”

The airport released a statement, saying,

“We are grateful that airport staff maintained situational awareness, identifying in real-time the aircraft entering the runway environment and immediately vacating the airport vehicle from the runway.”

Recent Southwest news

The approval of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Reauthorization Act will allow five new routes over the 1,250 mile perimeter set at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. After a long battle where the two sides brought forth their arguments for why more flights should or should not be allowed, a small concession was made.

Related

Southwest Airlines Plans To Apply For New Nonstop Service Between Reagan National Airport & Las Vegas

Shortly after the ruling, Southwest announced it would seek approval to begin flying from Harry Reid International Airport to DCA. The Dallas-based carrier hopes to deploy its Boeing 737-800s and MAX 8s between the two airports, but will face stiff competition from other airlines hoping to get one of the five routes available. Southwest already has the backing of a US Senator, who said a new flight would help sustain critical jobs in the tourism industry.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 landing at ALB shutterstock_2359129549

Photo: dorengo5 | Shutterstock

According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, Southwest has 2,692 flights scheduled to and from DCA next month. More than 415,000 seats are available from the Washington airport. Southwest’s busiest route from DCA is to Chicago’s Midway Airport, with up to six daily roundtrips. The route is also one of Southwest’s shortest from DCA. Its longest is to Austin Bergstrom International Airport at 1,315 miles and is the only one outside of the perimeter rule.

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