Distracted pilots led to near collision on JFK runway, NTSB says

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized the importance of safety technology in US aviation, stating that the reason for the country's exemplary safety record is the extra layers of protection that have been built in. She highlighted the need for lifesaving technology at more of the nation's airports, such as the ASDE-X system, which can warn air traffic controllers of a possible collision on a runway5. Homendy also called on the FAA to require a 25-hour recording window for the cockpit voice recorder in all aircraft, a duration that is already a standard requirement under European airline regulations6.

During the incident at JFK International Airport, the air traffic controller played a crucial role in averting a potential disaster. As the American Airlines Boeing 777 erroneously taxied across the runway in front of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 that had begun accelerating for takeoff, the air traffic controller in the tower made a frantic call to the pilots of the Delta flight, instructing them to abort their takeoff36. This quick intervention allowed the Delta pilots to decelerate and bring their aircraft to a stop, preventing a collision with the American Airlines jet. The air traffic controller's prompt action was instrumental in ensuring the safety of both aircraft and their passengers.