NEWS: Air Traffic Control Alerts Southwest Airlines Flight To Stop During Mistaken Take Off at Orlando Airport

By Kendall Waltz Leave a Comment

There have been several reports of airplane incidents over the past few months, including engine fires and ground stops due to space launch debris. Now, another situation occurred at Disney World’s closest airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO).

MCO

According to CNN, a Southwest Airlines plane mistakenly tried to take off on the taxiway instead of the runway.

The Boeing 737 was cleared for takeoff from Orlando Airport to Albany, New York, but the plane began to accelerate on a parallel taxiway instead of the proper runway. Air traffic control alerted the pilots, who stopped the plane, and there were no crashes or damage.

Southwest

The plane reached 70 knots, about 80 mph, before stopping. For takeoff, planes are usually traveling at around 150 mph, but on taxiways, they go about 35 mph.

Southwest Airlines at the Orlando Airport

Southwest is working with the FAA and NTBS (National Transportation Safety Board) “to understand the circumstances of the event.”

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