Aeromexico Jet Almost Lands on Delta Jet Taking Off

[PeterRS]

Rather than extend the Air India crash thread, this deserves a new one. A Delta 737 jet with 150 aboard was cleared for take-off at Mexico City and was speeding down the runway when, after it reached about 60 mph the pilots noticed an Aeromexico jet just above them and clearly intent on landing on the same runway. Had that scenario continued, there would have been an almighty fireball with all on board  both flights killed.

The Delta pilots slammed on the breaks and cut engine power before returning to its gate. Flightradar shows that the planes were just 200 feet apart. Mexico City has two parallel runways. We will have to wait to find out whether this was an air traffic control error or one made by the pilots of the Aeromexico flight. But what is so far clear is that there was some communications failure.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/delta-aeromexico-jets-collide-mexico-city-airport/story?id=123974173

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, PeterRS said:

 Had that scenario continued, there would have been an almighty fireball with all on board  both flights killed.

 

In Mexico City airport it's impossible - shrine of Guadelupe is too close to the airport

[PeterRS]

Didn't something similar occur at LAX a few years ago when a light aircraft piloted by the actor Harrison Ford crossed an active runway as another passenger plane was about to land? Although this was not I believe miscommunication - it was Ford's mistake. At least in that case the two aircraft were much further apart. 

[Pete1111]

30+ years ago, a 737 landing at LAX crashed into a turbo prop commuter jet that crossed its path on the runway.  36 fatalities.  Was an air traffic control error.  The controller was distracted.

I wonder if control towers have a "no mobile phones in the tower rule".

[unicorn]

My sense is there have been too many of these near-misses lately. How about that near-miss in which the B52 bomber in North Dakota didn't have it's safety system (TCAS) turned on, nor announced its flight? There should be immediate drug and alcohol testing for all pilots and air traffic controllers involved. There should be prompt and thorough investigations. And there should be serious consequences if any safety rules are ignored, including incarceration if drugs and/or alcohol were involved. 

[PeterRS]

We are close to the 44th anniversary of President Reagan firing 11,000 air traffic controllers who had disobeyed his order to return to work following their strike on August 3 1981. I know that thousands of flights had to be cancelled in the days following that action. But I can't seem to find references on the internet as to how the administration immediately was able almost immmediately to replace such key, highly trained and important specialist jobs in a vital industry. Anyone remember?

[unicorn]

3 hours ago, PeterRS said:

We are close to the 44th anniversary of President Reagan firing 11,000 air traffic controllers who had disobeyed his order to return to work following their strike on August 3 1981. I know that thousands of flights had to be cancelled in the days following that action. But I can't seem to find references on the internet as to how the administration immediately was able almost immmediately to replace such key, highly trained and important specialist jobs in a vital industry. Anyone remember?

Well, firstly, only 2/3 went along with the strike. Those were replaced with supervisors, the recently retired, and military air traffic controllers. The irony is that the air traffic controllers' union, PATCO, endorsed Reagan, due to his empty promises. Inflation soared under Reagan, and controllers' salaries didn't keep up. Of course, no one does empty promises and screwing those who voted for him/helped him better than Trump. No matter what they say, Republicans are anti-union.