Air traffic controller's command averts near-miss at Los Angeles airport

Delta Flight 471's takeoff was interrupted as an ATC ordered a charter plane to stop to prevent a runway collision.

Days after aviation tragedies in Kazakhstan and South Korea, another alarming incident unfolded at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as a Delta Air Lines plane narrowly avoided a collision with a charter aircraft carrying the Gonzaga men's basketball team.

Video footage captured Delta Flight 471 preparing for takeoff as an air traffic controller urgently instructed the charter plane to "Stop, stop, stop!" On the runway. The Delta flight, bound for Atlanta, departed safely following the warning.

The footage quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the tense nature of the situation and the critical role of air traffic controllers in ensuring safety at one of the world’s busiest airports. The basketball team had just arrived at LAX aboard a Key Lime Air charter.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the Key Lime Air Embraer E135 jet did not cross the runway edge line during its near-miss at LAX.

Controllers intervened as the aircraft advanced past the hold bars, averting a potential collision. The FAA has launched an investigation into procedural lapses to prevent future incidents.

Plane spotter Kevin Ray, who recorded the event, expressed his shock, stating, "I've never heard an air traffic controller say that in all my years." He shared the video online, calling the close call "alarming."

Delta later stated, "Delta Flight 471 operated as normal, and we are not aware of any FAA investigation." However, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is looking into the incident.

This scare came on the heels of a fatal Jeju Air crash in South Korea, which claimed 179 lives during a landing attempt at Muan International Airport. Aviation experts have raised concerns about a possible spike in safety risks within the industry.