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

Verified

JFK International Airport [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A serious runway incursion at JFK Airport involved an American Airlines Boeing 777 crossing an active runway while a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 was accelerating for takeoff, forcing the Delta crew to perform a high-speed rejected takeoff.
The quick reaction of the air traffic controller and the Delta flight crew successfully prevented a potentially catastrophic collision.
Potential contributing factors to the American Airlines crew's error include the complex intersection layout at JFK, nighttime conditions, and possibly confusing or misinterpreted controller instructions regarding different runways.
The article emphasizes the need for an objective investigation into such incidents to identify systemic issues, ensure the functionality of safety systems like runway stop bars, and implement preventative measures for overall aviation safety.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.