Southwest Jet Off Course, 2 Planes Abort Landings.

Close Calls at San Francisco Airport: Two Planes Forced to Abort Landings Due to Southwest Jet

Last week, two airliners had to abort their landings at San Francisco International Airport after pilots spotted a Southwest Airlines jet taxiing across runways on which the other planes had been cleared to land. The incident comes after a half-dozen close calls in recent months that are being investigated by safety officials.

FAA and NTSB Statements

An air traffic controller told the Southwest pilots they should not have been on the runways during the May 19 incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the Southwest plane cleared the runways when the other planes passed directly overhead, and the decision to abort the landings was “precautionary.” The FAA looked into the events and determined the appropriate steps were taken to ensure safe operations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is not investigating the matter.

Recorded Conversation

The air traffic controller told the crew of the Southwest jet, “You shouldn’t be on the runway,” according to a recording captured by LiveATC.com. When one of the pilots tried to explain, the controller cut him off, saying, “I don’t need an argument.”

Improvements at Airports

The FAA said this week it is investing $100 million in improvements at 12 airports — but not San Francisco — to reduce the number of “runway incursions,” when a plane or airport vehicle is on a runway when it should not be.

Editorial Standards

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

Source: The Western Journal