Plane Blows Tire as Runway Mix-Up at Nashville Airport Sends Passengers into Panic
A flight narrowly avoids disaster after a runway clearance conflict prompts an emergency stop at Nashville International Airport. š #News #NashvilleTN #Tennessee #Travel
NASHVILLE, TN – Under the glow of Nashville’s neon lights and with the sounds of Broadway’s honky-tonks still echoing, passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines flight experienced a terrifying moment. The aircraft made an abrupt halt during takeoff at Nashville International Airport, causing a sudden deceleration that forced the plane’s tires to burst. This created a tense and alarming situation for everyone on board.
Runway Clearance Confusion
On Thursday morning, Alaska Airlines Flight 369 was preparing for departure to Seattle when air traffic control granted it clearance to take off. Moments later, a Southwest Airlines flight, designated Flight 2029, received permission to cross the same runway.
This overlap in runway usage forced the Alaska Airlines pilots to execute an emergency brake maneuver to prevent a potential collision.
The rapid and forceful braking led to significant heat buildup, causing the tires of the Alaska aircraft to deflate as designed under such stress. Despite the severe tire blowout, the pilots successfully guided the plane off the runway and brought it close to the terminal building without further incident.
Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy: Kyle Forrester on X.
Safe Evacuation and Ongoing Investigations
All 176 passengers and six crew members evacuated the aircraft safely, reaching the terminal without injuries.
Alaska Airlines promptly arranged an alternative flight for the affected passengers, ensuring they continued their journey to Seattle later that evening. Maintenance teams in Nashville are currently inspecting the aircraft to assess any further impacts from the incident.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the runway clearance procedures that led to the aborted takeoff.
Southwest Airlines has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the authorities to determine the root cause of the incident.
Alaska Airlines extended its gratitude towards the flight crew for their swift and professional handling of the situation, while also apologizing to passengers and crew for the distress caused. Southwest Airlines reiterated its dedication to passenger and employee safety, emphasizing its active participation in the ongoing investigation.
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