American Airlines Flight 2134's takeoff on May 29 was aborted to avoid a collision at Reagan National Airport, prompting FAA and NTSB investigations.
Content Body
A Beechcraft King Air 300 landing on and an Airbus A319 taking off from intersecting runways at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) narrowly averted a ground collision on May 29, 2024, according to a recently issued NTSB preliminary report. The A319—operating as American Airlines Flight 2134—was cleared by ATC to depart on Runway 1, conflicting with the King Air, registered as N205AA, that was inbound for intersecting Runway 33.
According to the NTSB, the air traffic controller initially cleared the King Air to land on Runway 33 while the A319 was instructed to line up and wait on Runway 1. Then, the American Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff while the King Air was on short final. Readback of ATC instructions was correct for both aircraft.
The controller canceled the takeoff clearance for Flight 2134 and requested the King Air to go around. Flight 2134's crew successfully rejected the takeoff; the King Air crew stated it had already touched down and could not go around. The aircraft did not collide, and no injuries were reported on either aircraft. The American Airlines crew requested a maintenance inspection after the incident and then departed several hours later. Preliminary reviews indicate a moderate traffic volume and clear weather conditions at the time of the May 29 incident.
Similar incidents at KDCA and other airports across the U.S. have been raising significant safety concerns. As authorities continue to examine the incident, the FAA, industry experts, and safety advocates are calling for an urgent review of air traffic management protocols at the busy airport to prevent future occurrences.
NTSB Prelim Details A319/King Air Incursion at KDCA
Newsletter Body
A Beechcraft King Air 300 landing on and an Airbus A319 taking off from intersecting runways at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) narrowly averted a ground collision on May 29, 2024, according to a recently issued NTSB preliminary report. The A319—operating as American Airlines Flight 2134—was cleared by ATC to depart on Runway 1, conflicting with the King Air, registered as N205AA, that was inbound for intersecting Runway 33.
According to the NTSB, the air traffic controller initially cleared the King Air to land on Runway 33 while the A319 was instructed to line up and wait on Runway 1. Then, the American Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff while the King Air was on short final. Readback of ATC instructions was correct for both aircraft.
The controller canceled the takeoff clearance for Flight 2134 and requested the King Air to go around. Flight 2134's crew successfully rejected the takeoff; the King Air crew stated it had already touched down and could not go around. The aircraft did not collide, and no injuries were reported on either aircraft. The American Airlines crew requested a maintenance inspection after the incident and then departed several hours later. Preliminary reviews indicate a moderate traffic volume and clear weather conditions at the time of the May 29 incident.