American Airlines flight aborts Miami takeoff after business jet enters runway
An American Airlines flight bound for Bermuda aborted takeoff at Miami International Airport on Friday after a business jet crossed the active runway, bringing the planes within about a third of a mile of each other.
While traffic on the runways was moving by air traffic controller (ATC) commands, a catastrophic accident was averted by alert pilots using visual confirmation in the AA cockpit and not relying on instrumentation.
"After receiving clearance, American Airlines flight 308 discontinued its takeoff when the crew observed another aircraft on the runway," American Airlines said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We appreciate the quick actions of our crew members and thank our customers for their understanding."
The Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital in a statement that the other aircraft had been crossing "without authorization," and that they are investigating the incident.
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ATC audio captured the near tragedy.
"You just crossed an active runway," an ATC agent told the business jet pilot after the incident around 6 p.m. ET.
"You just told me to cross the runway, sir," the pilot replied.
"No, we said Amerijet 461," the controller responded.
ATC audio confirms the American Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff on runway eight in Miami, while the business jet, NetJets Flight EJA434, reportedly being operated by a third-party maintenance vendor, mistakenly believed clearance from ATC was intended for it.
"RNAV Jamba clear for takeoff 8R, American 308," one air traffic controller instructed.
"Amerijet 461, cross runway eight left, hold short of runway eight right," another said.
"Four Quebec Sierra, you just crossed an active runway: Hold short of runway eight left," another urged.
A NetJets spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "EJA434 was not under NetJets' operational control at the time of the encounter."
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The American Airlines flight 308 later departed Miami for Bermuda, arriving around two hours late, according to FlightAware tracking data.
The scare comes as airports prepare for heavy July 4 travel and follows a series of recent close calls involving commercial aircraft and runway traffic.
In March, an Air Canada flight crash-landed after an emergency truck mistakenly crossed an active runway, with ATC urging it to "stop, stop, stop," leaving two pilots dead and 42 injured in a fiery crash.
A United Airlines flight reported a near miss with a drone Friday while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport. The pilot said the aircraft "almost hit a drone," which was about 100 feet below the plane, according to reports. United's flight landed safely and passengers deplaned normally.
Last week, an American Airlines plane and a Delta jet were involved in a near miss at Boston Logan International Airport. Aviation experts estimated the two aircraft came within about 300 feet of each other, according to the New York Post.