What could have turned into a nasty runway collision in Tennessee was averted with help from Air Traffic Control, according to multiple reports.
Local station News 2 in Nashville, Tenn., reported that a spokesperson from Southwest Airlines provided them with a statement Monday regarding the incident. In the statement, the airline said that air traffic controllers gave the pilots of a Southwest flight instructions to avoid another Southwest flight on the runway headed to Knoxville, Tenn., that was within 500 feet of it.
People magazine said the incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. local time Saturday. According to a report from later that day, David Riley, a retired 32 year-veteran air traffic controller, told News 2 that current ATCs were feeling the strain of low staffing levels.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that new aerospace software should make flights safer in the future.
Per Southwest’s statement to News 2, its pilots “executed a precautionary go-around” as gusty winds blew through the airport. After this maneuver, the Southwest plane landed safely, while the other aircraft also safely departed for its destination.
“Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its Pilots and Flight Crews in responding to the event,” the statement reads, in part. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
News 2 said “the airline is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to continue the investigation,” and The New York Times also reported that the FAA was investigating the incident. People magazine also cited a statement from Southwest that said it engaged with the administration as part of an investigation.
According to the magazine, it also reached out to the FAA for comment. It added that the airport declined to comment on the incident.
Shortly after that close call in Nashville on Saturday, KNX reported Monday that a small plane crashed in Pacoima, Calif. That incident is also under investigation by the FAA.
