Delta Airlines and Gonzaga Basketball Team’s Aircraft in Near-Miss Drama
In a heart-stopping moment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), quick-thinking air traffic controllers prevented what could have been a catastrophic collision between two aircraft just days after the tragic Jeju Air disaster in South Korea.
The critical moment
“Stop, stop, stop!” rang out urgently across air traffic control communications as Key Lime Air Flight 563, carrying the Gonzaga University basketball team, approached a runway where Delta Flight 471 was beginning its takeoff roll to Atlanta. The incident occurred around 4:30 pm local time, with the chartered aircraft coming to a halt just moments before the Delta Airbus A321 lifted off.
Professional response
An experienced aviation spotter who witnessed the incident remarked, “In all my years of watching planes, I’ve never heard an air traffic controller shout ‘Stop, stop, stop’ like that,” highlighting the unusual urgency of the situation.
FAA investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a formal investigation into the incident. According to their spokesperson, “Air traffic controllers directed Key Lime Air Flight 563 to hold short of crossing a runway at Los Angeles International Airport because a second aircraft was taking off from the runway at the time.” They confirmed that while the Embraer E135 jet moved beyond the hold bars, it “never crossed the runway edge line.”
Aircraft details
The incident involved:
- A chartered Embraer ERJ-135 carrying the Gonzaga basketball team from Washington
- Delta Flight 471, an Airbus A321 bound for Atlanta
Despite the close call, the Delta flight continued to Atlanta without delay, while the Gonzaga team safely completed their journey to their scheduled game against UCLA.
Broader context
This incident gains particular significance following recent aviation tragedies, including the Jeju Air crash in South Korea that claimed 179 lives and a separate incident in Kazakhstan resulting in 38 fatalities. It underscores the critical importance of air traffic control procedures and quick response times in maintaining aviation safety.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between routine operations and potential disaster in aviation, and the crucial role played by air traffic controllers in maintaining safety in our skies.
