Footage has emerged of a tense moment when an aircraft carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team narrowly avoided a collision with another plane on the runway at Los Angeles International Airport. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, as air traffic controllers urgently instructed the private jet to halt its movement across the runway. Delta Flight 471, an Airbus A321, was accelerating for takeoff at the same time. Fortunately, the situation ended without any casualties, but it has sparked an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This event highlights ongoing safety concerns in aviation, especially during peak travel periods.

Emergency Intervention Prevents Potential Tragedy

The dramatic footage captured the critical moments when air traffic controllers intervened to prevent a potentially catastrophic collision. As the private jet belonging to Gonzaga University began to cross the runway, controllers repeatedly shouted "Stop, stop, stop!" The jet promptly halted just as Delta Flight 471 sped down the runway and took off. Witnesses filming the scene expressed shock at the near-miss, noting that such urgent commands from controllers are extremely rare. The FAA confirmed that controllers had directed the private jet to hold short of crossing the runway due to the imminent departure of the Delta flight.

The Embraer ERJ-135 jet, chartered by Gonzaga University, had just landed from Washington State ahead of a game against UCLA. According to an FAA spokesperson, the pilots were instructed to stop before crossing the runway edge line, which they did successfully. Despite the intense moment, the incident concluded safely for all involved. The university expressed gratitude for the safe resolution and is awaiting further details from the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, Delta Airlines confirmed that their flight to Atlanta was not affected by the incident.

Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny Amidst Global Air Travel Incidents

This near-collision incident at LAX underscores broader concerns about aviation safety, particularly in light of recent tragic events worldwide. Over the holiday season, millions of passengers are expected to pass through major airports like LAX, heightening the importance of stringent safety protocols. The close call at LAX came during a week marked by devastating accidents in the aviation industry. These incidents have raised questions about the reliability and safety measures in place to protect travelers.

In South Korea, a Jeju Air flight crashed into a concrete barrier at the end of a runway, resulting in the loss of 179 lives. Similarly, an Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed in Kazakhstan, claiming 38 lives. Authorities suspect that Russian missiles may have caused this disaster. Collectively, these events made 2024 the deadliest year for air travel since 2018, with a total of 318 fatalities reported. The FAA’s investigation into the LAX incident aims to identify any procedural lapses and ensure that such near-misses do not occur in the future. The focus remains on enhancing safety measures to safeguard passengers and crew members during one of the busiest travel seasons.