The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has launched an investigation into a near-disaster at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Wednesday, April 17. A Swiss International Airlines flight was forced to abort takeoff due to an air traffic control error that cleared multiple aircraft to cross the runway. The close call, which occurred around 4:45 p.m., raised concerns about the safety of air traffic control procedures at the busy airport.
According to the FAA, the Swiss Airlines Flight 17K was cleared for departure but was forced to abort when four other aircraft were crossing the same runway. The agency representative told the Daily News Tuesday that there have been no further developments in the investigation.
Air traffic control audio confirmed that the Swiss flight was cleared for departure, according to ABC News. The competence of the Swiss Airlines Flight 17K crew may have saved lives by quickly identifying the dangerous unfolding. “Swiss 17k heavy rejecting takeoff,” the plane’s pilot radioed. “Traffic on the runway.”
The Swiss airline reportedly told ABC News its flight team’s “high level of situational awareness and quick reaction” helped to avert disaster. Aviation site Aero Inside identified the aircraft involved in the JFK runway fiasco as a Swiss International Airlines Airbus A330-300, two planes operated by Delta Airlines, and a Boeing 737-8 Max owned by American Airlines.
