A UPS plane had to scramble away from its landing at Louisville International Airport when a Labcorp aircraft got too close to the runway. This incident happened at the same site where a deadly cargo plane crash took place last year.
The Labcorp plane was on the taxiway, instructed to hold short of runway 17 for the UPS plane’s landing. However, it moved slightly beyond the designated area, triggering alarms in the air traffic control tower. Controllers quickly ordered the Labcorp plane to stop, but by then, the UPS aircraft was only about 125 feet in the air. It was told to go around and attempt the landing again.
Audio recordings reveal the tense moment. An air traffic controller could be heard asking the Labcorp pilot, “What are you doing?” The reply? “Sorry for that.” Fortunately, tracking data indicated the Labcorp plane never actually entered the runway.
Prior to receiving the order to go around, the UPS pilot mentioned difficulties in contacting the Labcorp pilot. Better communication might have helped avoid the situation.
UPS stated that their pilot was following standard procedures and reported no negative effects from the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed there was required separation between the two planes during the event, which occurred around 12:10 AM local time.
This near miss adds to a concerning trend of close calls at U.S. airports. Just a few months ago, another UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at the same airport, tragically killing 14 people, including three pilots.
Experts stress the importance of improving communication and technology in aviation to prevent such incidents. According to the FAA, reports of near misses have risen significantly, highlighting a pressing need for enhanced safety measures.
In light of these events, many passengers and crew members share their fears on social media, expressing their unease about air travel safety. The aviation community continues to discuss solutions to ensure all passengers and crew return home safely.
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Kentucky, UPS
