A Delta Air Lines plane parks at the gates of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on January 11, 2023.
Yuki Iwamura | AFP | Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after two commercial planes narrowly avoided a collision at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Friday, a spokesperson confirmed to CNBC.
The Delta-operated Boeing 737 stopped takeoff at about 8:45 p.m. when air traffic controllers noticed another American Airlines aircraft crossing the runway, the FAA said. According to a preliminary FAA analysis, the Delta “halted on its takeoff roll about 1,000 feet” from where American Airlines’ Boeing 777 passed.
The agency told CNBC that information is subject to change.
National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet on Sunday The incident is also being investigated.
Flight watcher @xJonNYC said, Near misses and shared audio Twitter of a tense air traffic control exchange on Saturday.
“Delta 1943 cancels takeoff plans! Delta 1943 cancels takeoff plans!”
“No,” answers another.
A Delta Air Lines representative said Flight 1943 was en route to the Dominican Republic but stopped on the runway before returning to the gate and passengers disembarked.
The flight was delayed overnight due to crew resources and left the next morning.
“The safety of our customers and crew is always our number one priority. We apologize for any inconvenience and travel delays.”
A spokeswoman for American Airlines said it deferred to the FAA for comment.
