Near-Collision at LAX Involves Gonzaga Basketball Team Jet

News Summary

A close call occurred at Los Angeles International Airport when a private jet carrying Gonzaga University’s basketball team nearly collided with a Delta flight. The incident caused an urgent response from air traffic controllers, who intervened just in time to prevent disaster. Although the team arrived safely, they subsequently lost to UCLA in their game. The FAA has now launched an investigation into this alarming near-miss, shining a light on the vital importance of aviation safety protocols.

Los Angeles Shaken by Near-Collision Involving Gonzaga Basketball Team’s Jet

In a startling turn of events on Friday, the skies above Los Angeles were merely a stone’s throw away from disaster as a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team had a near-miss on the tarmac of the bustling Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). With the basketball crew flying high in hopes of victory against UCLA, their journey was almost grounded by an aviation scramble!

Pilots Pay Attention!

The drama unfolded when the jet, operated by Key Lime Air and sporting the charming registration number N509GU, was all set to take off. Just as the Embraer E135 completed its taxi, air traffic controllers spotted potential trouble. They tracked the situation closely and quickly intervened when they realized a Delta Air Lines flight, on its way to Atlanta with the registration N317DN, was also preparing for takeoff at the same moment. The urgency in the controllers’ voices echoed through the airwaves as they issued commands to the pilots to hold back their ascent.

Just in the Nick of Time

In this nail-biting moment, the plane edged dangerously close to the runway. The tension was palpable as the Embraer jet began to cross the hold bars. Fortunately, the attentive controllers shouted “stop, stop, stop” just in time! The pilots swiftly responded, bringing the aircraft to a halt a mere whisker away from where disaster could have struck. It’s a good day when jets halt just before the edge line! No one on board was harmed, and the quick-thinking actions of the air traffic control team undoubtedly prevented what could have been a catastrophe in the making.

Game Day Dash

What makes this story even more interesting is that the Gonzaga basketball team’s appearance in Los Angeles was part of their hustle for a game against UCLA. Sadly, despite their safe arrival, they fell short on the court, losing narrowly with a score of 65-62 at the Intuit Dome. Yet through the chaos, the students remained blissfully unaware of the scare that loomed over their heads—literally—while they geared up for the game.

FAA Steps In

In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has kicked off an investigation to dissect what happened and find out if any safety protocols were overlooked or if any factors contributed to this alarming almost-collision. The aviation body is taking this situation seriously, as it highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety and runway incursions, which experts classify as significant safety hazards.

Not Alone in the Sky

Delta Air Lines has commented that their flight operated smoothly and noted they were completely unaware of any unusual communications during the flight. The fact that both aircraft were in the air at such close proximity during a busy airport rush adds a layer of complexity to the incident. It’s a reminder that even in a world filled with experienced pilots and cutting-edge technology, the potential for human error lingers.

Looking Forward

As the dust settles on this event, it shines a light on the importance of strict vigilance in aviation protocols. With similar past runway incidents, such as the dangerous happenings at San Diego International Airport and the tragic accident involving Jeju Air in South Korea, it shows the need for continuous improvement in aviation safety measures.

So, here’s to the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, who flew through a harrowing experience, and to the dedicated professionals in aviation who work tirelessly to keep our skies safe—especially when they’re racing against the clock, or in this case, against a basketball game!