Unauthorized Charter Jet Takeoff Triggers Near-Miss at Logan Airport

In a recent development, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed findings of a concerning incident at Boston’s Logan International Airport involving a charter jet and a JetBlue plane. The incident occurred back in February and highlights a potential safety breach that could have led to a catastrophic disaster.

According to NTSB investigators, the pilot of the charter jet conducted a takeoff without proper authorization, resulting in a critical “conflict” scenario with an approaching JetBlue aircraft. The JetBlue plane was in the process of landing on an intersecting runway, amplifying the danger of the situation.

Evidential visuals from the cockpit of the JetBlue plane captured the nerve-wracking moment when the charter jet from Hop-A-Jet crossed the runway just ahead of the JetBlue aircraft. The pilots of the JetBlue Embraer jet recounted their heart-stopping experience, estimating a mere 30-foot gap between their plane and the unauthorized charter jet. The JetBlue captain couldn’t provide an exact estimation of the distance, as the perilous encounter left little room for precise calculations.

Swift action from the JetBlue pilots averted disaster as they managed to execute an evasive maneuver, pulling the aircraft into a sharp ascent, allowing them to circle around and eventually land safely.

The NTSB report sheds light on the perspective of the Hop-A-Jet captain, who claimed to have received instructions from air traffic controllers to “line up and wait” before taking off. The captain seemingly misinterpreted the clearance and believed they were permitted for takeoff. The situation was exacerbated by the co-pilot’s assertion that they were indeed cleared for departure by the captain.

The aftermath of the incident revealed the discrepancy between the captain’s perception and the actual authorization status. The captain, identified as Alvaro Donado, expressed confusion over the sequence of events and attributed it to his physical condition, citing cold weather and physical discomfort. Donado extended his apologies for the incident, acknowledging the potential consequences.

Upon landing at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Hop-A-Jet crew was notified by the Boston tower that their takeoff was unauthorized. The NTSB’s final report discloses that the JetBlue aircraft executed a go-around maneuver, passing approximately 400 feet above the charter jet.

While Hop-A-Jet declined to comment on the incident or the report, this occurrence adds to a series of aviation-related concerns in the United States this year. Despite the absence of a fatal U.S. airline crash since 2009, such near-miss incidents have sparked alarm. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) organized a “safety summit” in March to brainstorm proactive measures aimed at preventing hazardous proximity between aircraft.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, wbur.org