The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it is investigating after a cargo plane was forced to change course when an air traffic controller cleared a Southwest flight to depart from the same runway.
The incident occurred at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas on Saturday, per a report from regional outlet KXAN. What’s known at this time is that the cargo flight, operated by FedEx, had been cleared to land on the runway in question at around 6:40 a.m. local time while still several miles away from the Austin airport. Not long after, an air traffic controller also cleared a Boeing 737 operated by Southwest for depart from the same runway.
When reached for comment by Complex on Monday, an FAA rep confirmed the agency was investigating the incident.
“The pilot of the FedEx airplane discontinued the landing and initiated a climb out,” an FAA rep said in an email. “The Southwest flight departed safely. The FAA is investigating the incident.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating the incident, calling it “a possible runway incursion and overflight involving airplanes from Southwest Airlines and FedEx” in a statement initially shared to social media on Saturday.
Southwest was also reached for comment by Complex on Monday, with a rep ultimately directing inquiries to the FAA due to the airline not having information not share beyond what’s been reported by the agency.
Additionally, Complex has reached out to the NTSB and FedEx for additional comment. This story may be updated.
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