WASHINGTON (AP) — Investigators said Thursday that a failed radio transmission and a distracted air traffic controller led to a close call between a Southwest Airlines jet and a smaller plane waiting to take off from San Diego in June.
The National Transportation Safety Board said a controller told the crew of SkyWest plane to exit the runway, then directed the Southwest pilots to cut short their landing approach and instead circle around the airport.
After that, according to the NTSB, audio recorded by LiveATC captured a Southwest pilot saying, “Ah, is that an airplane on the runway?"
The SkyWest crew said they heard that while they were moving to leave the runway.
Federal officials are still looking into another close call in San Diego in August in August between a Southwest plane and a business jet.
Persons:
—, LiveATC, “
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, —, Southwest Airlines, National Transportation Safety, Southwest, NTSB, San Diego International Airport
Locations:
San Diego, Southwest