Alaska Airlines plane aborts takeoff to avoid potential collision

The pilots applied the brakes to avoid hitting a Southwest Airlines jet on a runway at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport on Thursday.

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[jlvandat]

The pilot almost certainly saved many lives in that split-second skill.

[wrightmf]

Looks like Mentour Pilot and 74Gear will have a busy weekend preparing videos explaining this including procedures and how much brakes can or cannot do.

[djijspeakerguy]

These brakes on aircraft are designed to stop the planes no matter what. Applying full brakes at that high of speed pretty much guarantees you’ll have serious tire and brake damage. This is actually not a super big deal for the aircraft itself, because those parts are replaced often by maintenance anyway. What matters is, the aircraft and its crew saved many lives and prevented what could have been the worst crash in a long time.

[bobagowoof]

Only a matter of time before we have a catastrophic accident from all these close calls. Very sad there hasn’t been improvement.

[ashercarbu]

The tires “didn’t blow” they deflated as part of a safety feature when the breaks get super hot like during an RTO so they don’t explode

[census]

What led to this? If they were both cleared, it’s the tower.

[MultiPurposeReviewer]

I'm not a pilot, but hearing a sudden "cancel takeoff clearance" in the middle of your takeoff roll has got to be a heart-in-your-throat moment.

Also, the brakes are literally designed for that and more. Look up "747 rejected takeoff test." Max takeoff weight, max thrust, fully worn down brakes (just the stud itself left), and stopping a takeoff roll with JUST the wheel brakes. They have to be replaced, but they did their job. Also, the tires deflate by design so they don't explode from the sheer heat generated.

[denisestickel]

I'm so glad the pilot had the good sense to abort take off and save the lives of the passengers of both planes and themselves. All pilots are not equal in their skills and quick decision making.

[catherinesmith]

What is it with all these minor collisions and near misses lately? It seems like all the ATC personnel and pilots need to be reminded of what happened on Tenerife at Los Rodeos Airport March 27, 1977 when two Boeing 747's collided and killed 583 people.

[Bostongirleva]

What’s going on lately?? Kudos to the pilot who didn’t over think and saved the day.

[gordonbryan]

As another commenter has already said, the tires did not “blow”. In a high speed rejected takeoff, the heat generated will sometimes melt lead “fuse plugs” in the rims, allowing the tires to deflate, to keep the tires from getting too hot and then exploding. Just another day at the airport.

[wsmith]

I’m sure the Federal Authorities will straighten everything out. LMAO.

[EASsirenVids]

Man the news will even cover a rejected takeoff now, BUT I won’t complain this time because it was positive from the news! I’m glad instead of hating on airplane companies we’re praising pilots!

If the speed they gave in this report was accurate, then they would’ve been at 104 knots, and that’s likely not too too much time left until V1 speed, so it’s good the pilot rejected the takeoff when they did!

[TheShowblox]

The past few years have had a LOT of runway incidents

[Roboto]

Ever hear of the Tenerife disaster? That seems to be where we're headed.

[ericksonrodriguez]

I just noticed that due to the increasing traffic in the airport, more and more "car like accidents/incidents happen". I suggest more training must be done to prevent a catastropic accident. They are just lucky this time since the pilots awareness is on top on that time. It is not always the case.

[kyleabrham]

I’m on the news 😮 very grateful this pilots quick reflexes 🙏🏼💯😎

[Dab]

We were delayed leaving SeaTac yesterday to Nashville, pilot announced that we were waiting to get some spare tires loaded for a plane already there.
Only delayed about an hour, was probably 40 or so minutes, not a huge deal.

[duck]

You really need an aviation specialist. "Hauling down the runway" or "slamming" on the brakes dilutes journalistic integrity. For the record it's "accelerating towards takeoff speed" and the pilot initiated a "rejected takeoff". I fixed it for you.

[KH-beqz]

Why can't we manage basic air traffic on the ground anymore. This is the simplest part of air travel, watch the planes move around from high atop a tower and make sure they aren't running into one another. Hell weather isn't even an excuse it's clear as can be and sunny.