Southwest Plane Narrowly Avoids Disaster At Long Beach Airport As Second Plane Lands Unbeknownst To Pilots

A harrowing incident at Long Beach Airport earlier this year has left aviation experts shaken. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737, bound for Oakland, narrowly avoided catastrophe when it landed on a runway already occupied by another plane - a Diamond DA40 light aircraft.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report, which shed light on the incident this week, the smaller four-seater was cleared to land on runway 30 after arriving from Camarillo airport. The crew had requested to circle around and land on the other runway, but air traffic control denied their request due to conflicting traffic conditions.

The Southwest flight, which had departed Oakland, was given clearance to land on the same runway three minutes later. However, just as it began its descent, the controller informed the crew that there was another plane on the runway - a Cessna aircraft landing on runway 26. The Southwest pilots swiftly adjusted their approach, slowing down to avoid a potential collision.

The NTSB report highlights the tense standoff between the two planes, which came within an astonishing 857 feet of each other before safely taxying to their respective parking areas. This is not the first instance of a plane landing on an occupied runway; in 2023, a JetBlue pilot in Colorado made a daring maneuver to avoid a smaller plane coming in to land.

The NTSB’s preliminary report provides a factual account of the incident, rather than speculate on the cause or contributing factors. As investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding this near-miss, prioritizing situational awareness, effective communication, and robust safety protocols is essential to prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident at Long Beach Airport serves as a timely reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation between pilots, air traffic controllers, and regulatory agencies. By learning from such close calls, the industry can continue to improve its safety record and ensure that the skies remain one of the safest modes of transportation.