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NTSB, FAA launch investigation into narrowly avoided collision at Nashville airport
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NTSB, FAA launch investigation into narrowly avoided collision at Nashville airport

A new fatal accident involving two commercial planes on a Nashville runway has prompted a new investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

An Alaska Airlines pilot had to slam on the brakes and stop on the runway during takeoff at about 120 mph to avoid a possible collision with a Southwest Airlines plane Thursday morning, the NTSB announced the investigation in a release Thursday.

An Alaska Airlines jet taking off from Nashville came to an abrupt stop on the runway Thursday to avoid a possible collision with a Southwest Airlines plane. Federal authorities are investigating the incident on Sept. 12, 2024.

Kyle Forrester

According to the FAA, the pilot of Alaska Airlines Flight 369 aborted takeoff when the Southwest plane was cleared to cross the end of the same runway.

“The Alaskan aircraft, en route to Seattle, had been cleared for takeoff by air traffic control,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “We are grateful for the expertise of our pilots who immediately applied the brakes to prevent the incident from escalating.”

An Alaska Airlines jet taking off from Nashville came to an abrupt stop on the runway Thursday to avoid a possible collision with a Southwest Airlines plane. Federal authorities are investigating the incident on Sept. 12, 2024.

Brandon Riley

None of the 176 passengers or six crew members were injured, but they said it felt like they had been hit in a car accident.

According to the FAA, “the Boeing 737 Max reported experiencing a tire blowout while braking,” which the Seattle-based airline attributed to the extreme heat generated during the abrupt stop.

An Alaska Airlines jet taking off from Nashville came to an abrupt stop on the runway Thursday to avoid a possible collision with a Southwest Airlines plane. Federal authorities are investigating the incident on Sept. 12, 2024.

Brandon Riley

Southwest has said it is in contact with the FAA and the NTSB and will participate in the agencies’ investigation.

This incident follows on the heels of another incident in Atlanta earlier this week, when a Delta plane carrying more than 200 passengers collided with the back of a smaller regional jet on the taxiway, tearing off its tail.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.