Alaska Airlines Aborts Takeoff to Prevent Runway Collision at Nashville Airport

An Alaska Airlines plane aborted its takeoff in Nashville to avoid a collision with a Southwest Airlines jet. The incident has prompted investigations by the NTSB and FAA. Passengers were refunded and given compensation. The event highlights ongoing safety concerns in U.S. aviation.

An Alaska Airlines airplane aborted takeoff at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport on Thursday to avoid a potential collision with a Southwest Airlines jet, according to statements from both airlines and authorities. Alaska Airlines 369, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 carrying 176 passengers and six crew, aborted its takeoff at 9:15 a.m. ET after receiving clearance from air traffic control, Alaska Airlines confirmed.

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy informed reporters that the board is investigating the incident. 'We are clearly very concerned about this incident and others we are investigating,' she noted. The Federal Aviation Administration is also probing the event, revealing that Southwest Airlines Flight 2029, a Boeing 737-700 scheduled for Jacksonville, Florida, had been cleared to cross the same runway's end.

The Alaska pilots applied brakes immediately to avert further escalation, with the plane scheduled for a flight to Seattle, Washington. The FAA confirmed that the Boeing 737 MAX 9's tires were damaged during braking. Tracking website Flightradar24 recorded the aircraft traveling at 104 knots before decelerating. Both the NTSB and FAA are continuing their investigation, as Alaska Airlines provides refunds and $1,000 compensation to affected passengers.

(With inputs from agencies.)