09-12-2024, 7:45 PM

Alaska Airlines' plane aborts takeoff to avoid colliding with Southwest Airlines' plane in Nashville

Alaska Airlines / Video Screenshot

The Federal Aviation Administration reports that after a Southwest flight was given the all-clear to cross from the same runway at Nashville International Airport, an Alaska Airlines aircraft was forced to abort takeoff.

Thursday morning, Alaska Airlines Flight 369 was cleared to take off from Nashville International Airport; however, the pilots of the aircraft headed for Seattle had to apply the brakes rapidly "due to a potential traffic conflict on the runway," according to an announcement from Alaska Airlines.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 is authorized to go beyond the runway's end.

The Alaska airplane decelerated after reaching a top speed of 104 knots, or roughly 119 mph, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

The FAA was notified by the Alaskan crew that the plane's tires had blown during the aborted takeoff. According to Alaska, the tires are made to deflate due to the accumulation of heat from the sudden stop.

The tires collapsed "due to heat buildup from the rapid stop on the runway, as designed," but the crew managed to get the plane off the runway and near the terminal, according to Alaska Airlines.

According to the airline, all 176 people on board safely disembarked at the terminal. It stated that on Thursday night, it despatched a second aircraft to Nashville to transport those passengers to Seattle.

According to Alaska Airlines, six crew members were also on board, and the aircraft was being inspected by Nashville maintenance personnel.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Southwest aircraft was a Boeing 737-700, while the Alaskan aircraft was a Boeing 737 Max 9.

"We're grateful for the expertise of our pilots who immediately applied the brakes to prevent the incident from escalating," Alaska Airline said. "We're deeply sorry for the concerning experience this created for our guests and crew members."

According to the airline, nobody was hurt.

The event is being looked into by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.

Speaking with the FAA and the NTSB, Southwest said it will "participate in the investigation."

"Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees," Southwest said in a statement.

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