Inebriated aviators averted a crash on the JFK runway, according to NTSB.
"Distractions caused by interruptions and multitasking led to near-collisions involving three pilots in the American Airlines Boeing 777 that taxied on JFK's runway 4 Left, coming dangerously close to a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 that was accelerating for takeoff, according to investigators. The pilots of the Delta flight aborted their takeoff run after a panicked warning from the air traffic controller in the control tower. The two planes skirted by each other, just 1,400 feet apart, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) earlier this year.
This incident sparked increased scrutiny of similar cases, or runway incursions, among commercial flights at major airports, prompting six other NTSB investigations in 2023 and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety summit.
The NTSB's recent summary of its upcoming final report on the JFK incident precedes a board meeting on Thursday about another near miss in low visibility at Austin, Texas, where a FedEx landing flight came close to a departing Southwest flight. It also follows two recent runway incursions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with one being handled by the NTSB.
Releasing their latest update, investigators underscored their ongoing plea for the FAA to add more collision-warning technology at airports. The ASDE-X system, which assisted in preventing the collision at JFK, is currently installed at only 35 major US airports. In April, the FAA stated it would introduce similar technology at four facilities by July.
"Our outstanding aviation safety record in the US is due to additional safety measures we've introduced, so it's crucial to install life-saving technology at more airports," said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy in a statement on Tuesday.
Investigators faced challenges due to the absence of a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recording, which would have provided valuable insights, as it had been overwritten. Homendy has also urged the FAA to mandate a 25-hour recording period for CVRs, matching the standard requirement under European airline regulations."
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Despite the ongoing investigation, the NTSB continues to advocate for the installation of more collision-warning technology at other US airports, recognizing the crucial role such systems played in preventing incidents like the one at JFK. The FAA announced plans to introduce similar technology at four more facilities within the year, recognizing the importance of enhancing safety measures for us all.
