National Transportation Safety Board issues more information about runway conflict at BNA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has new information about a scary near-miss at Nashville International Airport.

It had been business-as-usual for Alaska Airlines Flight 369, which was heading from Nashville to Seattle mid-morning on September 12. The jet lined up on runway 13.

NTSB agents said that air traffic control agents cleared that flight for take off. Investigators said that at the same time, a Southwest Airlines plane was okayed to cross the same runway.

“[We were] about to take off and then, all of a sudden, just started slowing down really quickly,” passenger Kyle Forrester said. “People lunging forward, not drastically, but just like you’re avoiding hitting somebody in a car.”

The Alaska Airlines plane slammed on its brakes, causing its tires to deflate.

“The first thing that came to mind was my family because it felt like we were going to hit the tarmac with the nose of the plane because it felt like the running gear was just going to collapse beneath us,” another passenger, Brandon Riley, said.

A retired commercial airline pilot and current chief pilot for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Keith Chapman, said that flying is the safest form of transportation.

“The most dangerous part about flying is driving to the airport,” Chapman said. “…Forty years ago we wouldn’t think about getting in a pressurized tube and going up to 45,000 feet. Now, everybody does it. It’s just a part of life. Our safety record is amazing and it’s getting better every day.”

He said that it’s rare for air traffic control to make this kind of mistake.

“They do a great job,” Chapman said. “I work with them everyday. They have my utmost respect, but they are overworked and they’re human. Mistakes can happen when you are tired and overworked.”

The Alaska Airlines plane was going about 120 miles per hour when the pilot hit the brakes. Both planes made it to their destinations safely.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.