FAA Investigating Takeoff Mishap
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 mistakenly began takeoff from a taxiway instead of a runway at Orlando International Airport on Thursday, prompting urgent intervention from air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
Flight 3278, bound for Albany, New York, was cleared to depart from Runway 17R. However, the aircraft instead began accelerating on parallel Taxiway H. The mistake was spotted by an air traffic controller, who immediately ordered the pilots to stop.
Urgent Warning from Air Traffic Control
Live audio from Broadcastify captured the dramatic moment when the tower issued an emergency stop command:
“3278 stop, 3278 stop. Stop Southwest 3278, stop! Cancel takeoff clearance. You’re on H taxiway, Southwest 3278.”
The pilots immediately applied the brakes, stopping safely before reaching a critical speed. “Southwest 3278, yes, sir. We stopped,” the captain confirmed.
Aircraft Speed Was Twice Normal Taxiway Limit
According to flight data from FlightRadar24, the plane had already reached 70 knots (80 mph)—more than twice the typical taxiway speed of 35 mph. A Boeing 737 typically requires around 150 mph to lift off, meaning the aircraft had not yet reached full takeoff velocity.
Southwest Airlines later stated that the crew had mistaken the taxiway for the runway and confirmed it was working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA to investigate.
Recent Airline Safety Concerns
The incident adds to a growing list of aviation mishaps in recent weeks:
- February 6: A Bering Air regional flight in Alaska crashed, killing all 10 people onboard. The NTSB later determined the aircraft was overweight at takeoff.
- February 17: A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped over on landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving passengers “hanging like bats.”
- February 25: A near-collision at Chicago Midway Airport saw Southwest Flight 2504 narrowly avoiding a private jet that mistakenly crossed its landing runway.
FAA Response and Safety Measures
The FAA is expected to review air traffic control procedures and pilot training protocols in response to these incidents. While no passengers were harmed in Thursday’s Southwest incident, experts warn that increased scrutiny on aviation safety is needed.
