FAA Investigates Close-Call Situation at Austin Airport

Two commercial jets—one on takeoff, one on landing—were operating to the same runway.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, February 06, 2023 at 02:52 PM ET

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The FAA and NTSB are looking into the incident as a possible runway incursion. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

An FAA and NTSB investigation is underway after a FedEx cargo plane on approach to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was forced to execute a go-around when air traffic control cleared a Southwest Airlines flight to depart from the same runway.
The incident, which occurred in relative darkness, saw the FedEx pilot abort the landing at approximately 150 feet, with both aircraft ultimately operating safely.
This event marks the second potential runway incursion involving major airlines in the U.S. within a month, following a similar close call at JFK International Airport in January.

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The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are looking into an incident at a Texas airport that potentially put two airliners on the approach end of one runway at the same time. The event took place on Saturday, February 4, at approximately 6:40 a.m. in relative darkness, as sunrise was not until 7:20 a.m.

According to the FAA, FedEx Express Flight 1432, a Boeing 767, was cleared to land on Runway 18 Left at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS). The clearance was received and acknowledged when the 767 was several miles away from the airport.