Alaska Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff to Avoid Southwest Plane in Nashville
On Thursday (12), an Alaska Airlines flight narrowly avoided a potential runway collision with a Southwest Airlines plane at Nashville International Airport. Alaska Airlines flight AS369, bound for Seattle, was cleared for takeoff but had to abort quickly when Southwest Airlines flight WN2029 was cleared to cross the runway.
The incident occurred Thursday morning when the Alaska Airlines flight was accelerating for takeoff. As it sped down the runway, the pilots received clearance for takeoff but had to swiftly hit the brakes to avoid the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, which had been cleared to cross the runway ahead. Alaska Airlines later called this a "potential traffic conflict on the runway."
According to our data, the Alaska flight reached 104 knots (119 mph) before the takeoff was aborted. The force of the abrupt stop caused the plane's tyres to blow, as reported by the crew and confirmed by the FAA. Alaska Airlines explained that the tyres are designed to deflate under such circumstances due to the heat generated by sudden braking.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 Max 9 (N919AK), while the Southwest Airlines plane was a Boeing 737-700. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 176 passengers and crew members on board.
"We're deeply sorry for the concerning experience this created for our guests and crew members," Alaska Airlines said in a statement. The plane was able to taxi off the runway and back to the terminal, where passengers safely deplaned. Passengers were expected to continue their journey to Seattle later that day while maintenance technicians thoroughly inspected the Nashville aircraft.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. Southwest Airlines confirmed cooperating with the investigation and stated, "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees."
While such incidents are rare, they highlight the critical role of coordination and communication between air traffic controllers and flight crews. The swift response by the Alaska Airlines pilots likely prevented a severe accident, and investigations by the FAA and NTSB will aim to determine what led to the close call. As more information comes to light, airlines, regulators, and airports will further use the findings to enhance runway safety measures.
This incident is a reminder of the complex and fast-moving environment in which aviation professionals work, prioritizing passenger safety above all else.
