LOS ANGELES – The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team nearly crossed a runway as another flight took off Friday at Los Angeles International Airport.
Air traffic controllers ordered the plane operated by Key Lime Air to stop when a Delta plane took off. No one was injured.
“Air traffic controllers directed Key Lime Air Flight 563 not to cross a runway at Los Angeles International Airport because a second aircraft was taking off from the runway at the time,” the FAA said in a statement. “When the Embraer E135 aircraft proceeded to cross the holding bars, air traffic controllers told the pilots to stop. “The plane never crossed the runway edge line.”
An aircraft sighting livestream shows the incident and captured audio of an air traffic controller telling the Key Lime Air flight to “stop, stop, stop.” The flight stopped immediately and after a few moments it continued.
Gonzaga was in Los Angeles for the game against UCLA on Saturday. No. 19 Gonzaga lost to the 15th-ranked Bruins, 65-62 in the first college basketball game played at the Intuit Dome, the new home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.
“We understand that the incident at LAX is under investigation and we will review this information as it becomes available,” the university said in an email Monday afternoon. “Our team members on board the aircraft were unaware of the situation when it occurred and we are grateful that the incident ended safely for everyone.”
Key Lime Air did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment on Monday. Los Angeles World Airports referred a media investigation to the FAA and a Delta spokesperson said there were no problems for its planes.
“Delta Flight 471 operated normally and we are not aware of any communication from the FAA regarding this flight. “We are cooperating with aviation officials in their investigation,” the airline said in an email.
