A crisis was averted on Friday after a private jet nearly crossed a runway as another flight was taking off at the Los Angeles airport.
The video of the incident has been widely shared on social media where air traffic controllers are heard stopping the plane operated by Key Lime Air as Delta aircraft took off. No one was injured, reported the Associated Press.
“Air traffic controllers directed Key Lime Air Flight 563 to hold short of crossing a runway at Los Angeles International Airport because a second aircraft was taking off from the runway at the time,” said the Federal Aviation Administration in a statement.
“When the Embraer E135 jet proceeded to cross the hold bars, air traffic controllers told the pilots to stop. The jet never crossed the runway edge line," the statement added.
The audio of an air traffic controller telling the Key Lime Air flight to “stop, stop, stop" could be heard in the video captured by a plane-spotting livestream.
The private jet was carrying Gonzaga University men’s basketball team after its match against UCLA on Saturday.
“We understand that the incident at LAX is under investigation and we will review this information as it becomes available," stated the university in an email on Monday, as per the report. “Our team members aboard the aircraft were unaware of the situation as it occurred and we are grateful that the incident ended safely for all," it added.
There has been no statement from Key Lime Air.
A spokesperson from Delta said there were no problems with its aircraft.
“Delta flight 471 operated as normal, and we are not aware of any communication from the FAA regarding this flight. We are cooperating with aviation officials on their investigation,” the airline said.