Runway Drama: Gonzaga Team Jet and Delta Flight's Near Miss at LAX!
A private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men's basketball team narrowly avoided a collision with a Delta Air Lines flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on December 27, 2024.
The incident occurred as the team's chartered plane, operated by Key Lime Air, was taxiing after landing. Air traffic controllers instructed the jet to hold short of the runway due to an approaching Delta flight preparing for takeoff. Despite this directive, the jet began to cross the hold bars, prompting an air traffic controller to urgently command, "Stop, stop, stop!" The pilot halted the aircraft just in time, preventing a potential disaster.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and both flights proceeded without further issues.
This close call adds to a series of recent aviation incidents, underscoring the critical importance of strict adherence to air traffic control instructions to ensure passenger safety.