Air traffic control saves planes from potential collision at LAX
- A near-miss incident involved a private jet and a commercial flight at Los Angeles International Airport.
- Air traffic control intervened to prevent the private jet from crossing the runway as a Delta flight took off.
- The FAA has initiated an investigation, and no injuries were reported during the incident.
On December 27, 2024, an incident occurred at Los Angeles International Airport involving a private jet transporting the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team. The Key Lime Air Flight 563 was on the taxiway when air traffic controllers noticed a Delta aircraft beginning to take off from an adjacent runway. The controllers directed the Key Lime Air flight to hold short of the runway to prevent a potential collision. The situation unfolded around 4:30 PM local time, just before the team was scheduled to play against UCLA. Thankfully, due to the timely intervention of air traffic control, the private jet halted before crossing the runway edge line, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. The FAA acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and confirmed that the Key Lime Air flight never entered the runway, which effectively averted what could have been a catastrophic accident. This incident has drawn attention not only for its narrowly averted disaster but also due to the involvement of a collegiate sports team in the event. Gonzaga University expressed gratitude that the situation concluded without harm and stated their commitment to reviewing further details related to the investigation. Meanwhile, the Delta Air Lines flight continued its operations as planned, with no reported issues stemming from the incident. As Gonzaga prepared for their game against UCLA the following day, they were also looking forward to understanding how this near-miss incident could have occurred, with expectations of more information emerging as the FAA's investigation progresses. Reports indicated air traffic communication was pivotal in managing the situation effectively, highlighting the importance of diligent air traffic control practices at busy airports like LAX. The FAA's investigation aims to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident better and to ensure that air travel safety standards are maintained in the future.