A Southwest Airlines flight was forced to abandon its takeoff Tuesday afternoon when a single-engine plane unexpectedly encroached on its runway. The incident prompted air traffic control to intervene to prevent a potential collision.
The incident took place around 1:40 p.m. local time on Jan. 27 at San Antonio International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to NTD News in an emailed statement. A Pilatus PC-12 pilot made a wrong turn onto the runway where the Southwest flight was preparing to depart.
"Air traffic control cancelled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 4996 at San Antonio International Airport because a Pilatus PC-12 pilot made a wrong turn onto the Southwest flight's runway," according to a statement from Steve Kulm, Public Affairs Specialist for the FAA.
The FAA confirmed it is investigating the event that led to the aborted departure.
A spokesperson for the airport did not respond to a request for comment from NTD News prior to publication.
Southwest Airlines praised the response of its crew to the potential hazard. "Southwest Flight 4996 safely discontinued its takeoff roll at San Antonio International Airport on Tuesday due to a potential conflict with another aircraft," according to an airline spokesperson. "The flight later departed for Dallas uneventfully. Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its Pilots and Flight Attendants in addressing the situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees."
Recent Aviation Incidents
The San Antonio runway incursion is the latest in a series of aviation incidents involving smaller aircraft in recent days.The six-seat plane, registered to Delaware-based Mulaii LLC, came down roughly half a mile from the runway in a field near the intersection of Andrew Avenue and 225th Street. Two individuals aboard both exited safely and declined medical treatment.
Air traffic control communications obtained by the Tri-State Scanner showed the pilot telling controllers, "I'm going back to the airport," before an air traffic controller announced that "the aircraft did not make it to the airport." Flight tracking data from FlightAware indicated the plane was airborne for approximately 8 minutes.
The plane struck a large pine tree before bursting into flames, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause. Bolden was an assistant football coach at Marshall Academy who left behind a baby daughter, fiancée Erica Keller, and family members. Hall's mother, Jacinta Hall-Weeden, wrote in a Facebook post that her only child "died doing what he loved."