NTSB Is Investigating A Possible Runway Incursion At Austin Airport

FedEx FX1432 & Southwest Airlines 708 tracked via RadarBox.com

The U.S. authorities are investigating a close-call incident at Austin Internation Airport on February 4. A FedEx Boeing 767F (Freighter), reg. N297FE, aborted a landing in Austin just as a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 (reg. N7827A) was taking off from the same runway, prompting an investigation from NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) & FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) investigators. 

The close call occurred at 06:40 AM (12:40 UTC), with poor visibility conditions at Austin Airport (AUS).

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“The NTSB is investigating a surface event at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Saturday, a possible runway incursion and overflight involving airplanes from Southwest Airlines and FedEx.” - Said the NTSB in a statement.

ATC Communications (Austin Airport) - Video source: Winglets747

Just after 6:40 AM (local time), the FedEx Boeing 767 (Flight FX1432) was cleared to land at the airport’s Runway 18-left. The FAA said that air traffic controllers cleared Southwest airlines flight 708 to depart from the same runway just before the FedEx plane was set to land in Austin. And here is the speed and altitude data for both flights provided by AirNav RadarBox:

FedEx FX1432 

Flight log provided by AirNav RadarBox

Southwest Airlines WN708

Flight log provided by AirNav RadarBox

“Shortly before the FedEx aircraft was due to land, the controller cleared Southwest Flight 708 to depart from the same runway. The pilot of the FedEx airplane discontinued the landing and initiated a climb out,” said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FedEx Boeing 767 (N297FE) circled the airport and landed safely.

FedEx FX1432 from Memphis to Austin

And the Southwest flight WN708 to Cancun continued and landed safely as well. 

Southwest Airlines WN708 from Austin to Cancun

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport commented that it is “aware of the Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation into the discontinued landing of a flight. We will assist our FAA partners and their investigation as necessary.”