The JFK Incursion Tragedy That Wasn’t

When a Boeing 777 taxied into the path of a departing Boeing 737 at JFK International Airport, the aviation world was presented with a valuable lesson.

Les Abend

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 11:03 AM ET

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JFK International Airport [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 aborted its takeoff at JFK International Airport when an American Airlines Boeing 777 improperly crossed the active runway on January 13, narrowly averting a major tragedy.
The incident was successfully mitigated by the swift reaction of the air traffic controller and the proficient execution of a high-speed rejected takeoff by the Delta flight crew.
While the American Airlines crew's actions are under scrutiny, the article suggests potential contributing factors, including confusing taxiway geometry at night and initial communication details.
A thorough and objective investigation is crucial to understand all factors leading to this serious runway incursion and to utilize the findings for future aviation safety prevention.

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It is with a deep sigh of relief that we are Monday morning quarterbacking an event that could have been a monumental tragedy at JFK International Airport in New York. On Friday, January 13, at approximately 19:00 local time, a runway incursion occurred that involved a departing Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 and a taxiing American Airlines Boeing 777. Simply stated, contrary to controller instructions, the 777 crossed an active runway while the 737 was accelerating on its takeoff roll.

First, kudos to the tower controller for his timely reaction. I am certain that he took more than just a deep breath when his shift was complete. This was a nighttime operation, making it that much more difficult to assess the situation.