SAN DIEGO — An aborted takeoff at San Diego International Airport last week is raising concerns about public safety.
A Southwest Airlines flight was cleared to cross the runway at the same time a different Southwest jet was cleared for takeoff. It happened on October 11 around 8:40 a.m.
The incident began when Southwest 785 was cleared to cross the main runway, runway number 27, on taxi path B6, according to air traffic control audio recordings.
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.”
Seconds later, an air traffic controller cleared a different flight, Southwest 1478, to take off on the main runway 27.
Air traffic: “Southwest 1478 clear for takeoff.”
Southwest pilot: “On 27, clear for takeoff Southwest 1478.”
The two flights were on a collision course, when the air traffic controller abruptly cancelled the takeoff clearance.
Air traffic: “Southwest 1478 cancel takeoff clearance.”
Pilot: “Say again?”
Air traffic: “Cancel takeoff plans for Southwest 1478.”
Pilot: “Southwest 1478 is rejecting.”
The air traffic controller then told Southwest 785 not to 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.”
Both Southwest flights were able to stop in time, avoiding a collision.
The FAA emailed CBS 8 the following statement:
“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.”
“It says the second Southwest aircraft never entered the runway. That's wrong. When you cross that hold short line you have, in effect, entered the runway,” said pilot Robert Katz, referring to the FAA statement.
Katz has 43 years of experience as a flight instructor.
“The bottom line here is that there was a breakdown in communication between these two, these two people in the tower. And, that's where the fault lies. It's not with either pilot of either airplane,” said Katz.
Nobody was injured in the incident. A passenger on Southwest 1478, who wanted to remain anonymous, reported the aborted takeoff to CBS 8.
“Just before liftoff, pilot abruptly slammed on brakes and skidded towards end of runway. After we came to a stop, pilot taxied us off runway. Pilot said tower had told him to abort takeoff. Pilot said a plane had moved out onto end of runway. Pilot said brakes and fuel would then have to be checked before we could leave,” the passenger wrote.
The takeoff of Flight 1478 from San Diego to Dallas was delayed by three hours, according to flight records.
Katz, the veteran flight instructor, said he’s not surprised the near miss happened at San Diego International Airport.
“This airport has one runway. It is short. San Diego is operating way over capacity and it is going to be, in my opinion, the scene of the next major catastrophe in the United States,” Katz said.
Southwest Airlines emailed CBS 8 to clarify that the Flight 1478 experienced “no skidding” and also emailed CBS 8 the following statement:
“Southwest Airlines Flight 1478 stopped safely on the runway at San Diego International Airport on Friday after an air traffic controller instructed the Crew to discontinue their takeoff roll. Southwest is in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
In August 2023, a near miss occurred between a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 and a Cessna Citation business jet at San Diego International Airport.
The FAA said an initial investigation indicated that the controller had previously cleared the Citation to land on Runway 27 and then instructed Southwest Flight 2493 to taxi onto that runway and wait for instructions to depart. The facility's automated surface surveillance system alerted the controller about the developing situation and the controller directed the Cessna to discontinue landing.
The initial review showed that the Cessna passed over the top of the Southwest airplane by about 100 feet, according to a Reuters report.