Private Jet’s Unauthorized Takeoff from Boston Airport Narrowly Avoids Collision

In a recent aviation incident on February 27, 2023, a private jet pilot initiated takeoff from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) without proper clearance, leading to a near collision with an incoming JetBlue flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the pilot of the LearJet 60, operated by charter company Hop-a-Jet, was directed by an airport controller to align and wait (referred to as LUAW) on runway 9. Concurrently, a JetBlue Embraer ERJ 190-100, arriving from Nashville, was granted permission to land on runway 4R, both of which intersect.

Despite the LearJet’s crew acknowledging the LUAW instructions from the controller, they proceeded with the takeoff roll instead. The airport’s surface detection equipment (ASDE-X) swiftly alerted the situation, prompting the controller to immediately instruct the Embraer to perform a go-around maneuver.

The quick action of the JetBlue first officer allowed them to initiate the go-around just moments before the runways’ intersection. A photograph released by the NTSB from the Embraer cockpit displays the LearJet’s departure just ahead of the landing aircraft.

The closest point of proximity between the two planes occurred when the JetBlue flight was approximately 30 feet (9 meters) above ground level.

During the NTSB investigation, the LearJet pilot admitted to hearing the LUAW instruction and responding to the clearance, but claimed to have interpreted it as authorization for takeoff. The pilot attributed the confusion to the cold Boston temperature affecting their well-being and causing nasal congestion.

The NTSB’s final determination cited the primary cause of the incident as the “Hop-a-Jet flight crew’s decision to initiate takeoff without proper clearance.”