December 30th 2024.
As the Gonzaga University Men's Basketball team landed at Los Angeles International Airport, they were relieved to finally be on solid ground after a long flight. However, their relief was short-lived as they soon found themselves in a terrifying situation. As they taxied towards their designated gate, they noticed that their plane seemed to be heading towards a runway instead. The team, along with the flight crew, quickly realized the gravity of the situation as they heard the urgent commands of an air traffic controller through the radio.
"Stop, stop, stop!" the controller's panicked voice could be heard in a video of the incident that has since gone viral. The team looked out the window and saw a Delta Air Lines plane, Flight 471, taking off from the very same runway they were headed towards. The tension in the air was palpable as the Embraer E135 jet finally came to a halt, just in time to avoid a disastrous collision with the much larger Delta plane.
As the near-miss unfolded, a plane spotter who happened to be recording on the runway couldn't help but let out a few "Woos!" in relief after witnessing the close call. In a video uploaded to YouTube, the spotter can be heard commenting on the unusual situation. "In all my years of plane spotting, I have never heard an air traffic controller urgently order a plane to stop like that," he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed that the controller had indeed instructed the Key Lime Air Flight 563 to stop before the runway. This was because another plane, the Delta Flight 471, was in the process of taking off at the same time. Thanks to the quick thinking and efficient communication of the air traffic controllers, what could have been a catastrophic accident was averted, and all passengers and crew on both planes were safe.
Looking back on the incident, it is hard to deny that it was a truly terrifying experience for everyone involved. However, it also serves as a reminder of the crucial role that air traffic controllers play in ensuring the safety of air travel. Their calm and efficient handling of the situation undoubtedly saved many lives that day. As for the Gonzaga Men's Basketball team, they may have had a few tense moments, but they can now add this heart-stopping experience to their list of memorable moments on the road.
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