The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
is investigating after air traffic controllers (ATC) at San Diego International Airport (SAN)
cleared two 
Southwest Airlines
Boeing 737s to access the same runway. The incident happened on Friday, involving flights headed to Phoenix and Dallas.
It came just two days after an Alaska Airlines Embraer E175 had a mid-air close call with a wildfire air tanker near Redmond, Oregon
. Recent safety incidents have raised concerns about ATC staffing and burnout, posing a risk to the industry.
Details of the incident
According to San Diego local affiliate CBS 8, the mishap occurred around 08:40. Data from Flightradar24 shows that WN785, bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
, was cleared to cross Runway 27 via taxiway B6. The aircraft, a 737-700
registered as N262WN, was directed to taxi on the north side of the runway, which is an unusual practice at SAN.
Photo: RebeccaDLev | Shutterstock
Recordings from LiveATC.net were obtained by CBS 8. In an initial exchange, the controller can be heard instructing the pilots of WN785 to cross the runway.
Ground control: “Southwest 785 cross 27 on Bravo 6, continue taxiing via Charlie.”
Southwest pilot: “Clear to cross 27 at Bravo 6, continue taxiing via Charlie. Southwest 785.”
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Meanwhile, WN1478 was instructed to take position and hold at the top of Runway 27. The flight, operated by a larger 737-800
registered as N8551Q, was bound for Dallas Love Field (DAL)
. Once the aircraft was in place, it was cleared for takeoff by ATC
.
“Southwest 1478 clear for takeoff,” one controller said.
The pilot acknowledged…“On 27, clear for takeoff Southwest 1478.”
“Cancel takeoff clearance”
Flight data shows that N8551Q had begun its takeoff roll down Runway 27. However, ATC abruptly instructed the pilots to cancel their takeoff.
“Southwest 1478 cancel takeoff clearance,” a controller said.
“Say again?” one of the pilots asked.
The controller explained again, “Cancel takeoff plans for Southwest 1478.”
The pilot responded, “Southwest 1478 is rejecting.”
Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock
WN785 was then instructed to halt its taxi and not cross the runway.
Air traffic: “Southwest 785 hold position.
Pilot: “Hold position. Southwest 785. We’re past the hold short line.”
Air traffic: “Roger, just hold position please.”
Three-hour delay
Thankfully, ATC worked quickly to avoid a potentially catastrophic situation. Additionally, no one was injured. Simple Flying reached out to Southwest and FAA for comment on Tuesday, but neither party immediately responded.
However, a statement confirming the incident was provided to CBS 8.
“This information is preliminary and subject to change. An air traffic controller cancelled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 1478 at San Diego International Airport because another Southwest plane was cleared to cross the runway. The second Southwest aircraft never entered the runway. The FAA is investigating the incident, which occurred around 9 a.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 11.”
One passenger on WN1478 told CBS 8 that the “pilot abruptly slammed on [the] brakes,” causing the aircraft to skid down the runway. After coming to a stop, the plane safely taxied off the runway. The pilot reportedly informed passengers that ATC had instructed to abort the takeoff and that the aircraft’s brakes and fuel would need to be checked before departing again.
WN785 subsequently crossed Runway 27 safely, and it departed for PHX without incident. WN1478, however, did not takeoff for DAL until 10:12 (PDT) – exactly three hours after it pushed back from its gate, according to FlightAware. The flight did not arrive in Dallas until 14:54 (CDT), about two hours and 45 minutes after its originally scheduled arrival time of 12:10 (CDT).
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