Dallas-based carrier, Southwest Airlines (WN) flight reportedly took off from a closed runway that had a vehicle on it, despite air traffic control’s efforts to warn the pilots. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.
Flight WN4805 departed Portland (PWM), Maine for Baltimore (BWI) at 5:42 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Flightradar24. However, a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) indicated that Runway 29 was closed for takeoff until 5:45 a.m.
Southwest Flight Takeoff from Wrong Runway
In an audio recording published by LiveATC.net, the controller can be heard cautioning the Southwest pilots as the plane departs.
“There is a vehicle on the runway. The runway is closed,” reported one individual, with another noting, “I tried warning him.”
Six minutes later, ground operations inquired about the Southwest plane’s status: “Did you ever get a hold of that Southwest plane once he’s airborne or is he still kind of MIA in that regard?”
“We never communicated with the aircraft,” was the response.
The Portland Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower typically opens at 5:45 a.m., with pilots expected to use the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for communication. However, it appears the Southwest pilots did not utilize this radio frequency either.
According to the ATC recording, the controller informed ground operations: “You were on the runway and had to exit, and he wasn’t even on CTAF.”
Official Remarks
Southwest Airlines stated it is collaborating with the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the recent incident. “After departure, the aircraft continued safely to its destination,” the airline assured.
According to the NTSB, a preliminary report will be released within 30 days.
This incident adds to a series involving Southwest planes in recent months. On June 18, Flight 4069 triggered a low-altitude alert while approaching the airport, flying just 500 feet above ground nine miles out.
Earlier in the month, a Southwest pilot inadvertently sent the aircraft into a dive near Hawaii, narrowly avoiding a crash into the ocean.
In May, a Southwest 737 MAX encountered a rare stability issue called Dutch roll, prompting its grounding for over a month as the NTSB conducts further investigation.
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