Close Call: Alaska Flight Aborts Takeoff to Prevent Collision with Southwest Plane

An Alaska Airlines flight from Nashville had to abort takeoff on Thursday to avoid a potential collision with a Southwest Airlines plane. Alaska Airlines Flight 369 was cleared for takeoff but stopped abruptly due to "a potential traffic conflict on the runway," the airline stated. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 had been cleared to cross the runway at the time.

The Alaska plane, which had reached 104 knots (approximately 119 mph), was forced to brake quickly, causing the plane's tires to deflate from the heat generated by the sudden stop. According to Alaska Airlines, no injuries were reported, and all 176 passengers safely returned to the terminal.

Alaska Airlines expressed regret, stating, "We're deeply sorry for the concerning experience this created for our guests and crew members." The incident is currently under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Maintenance technicians inspected the plane after the incident.

Also involved in the investigation, Southwest Airlines emphasized its commitment to safety, stating, "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees." Both airlines are cooperating fully with authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

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