An Airborne Express cargo jet coming down the runway managed to take off early, narrowly avoiding an accident.
The event took place on July 6 on a foggy and rainy day. Communications between the pilot and air controllers were recorded.
After the near accident, the cargo pilot radioed the tower, "See that aircraft on the runway 22 right?" The controller told him to contact the next controller, but the cargo pilot asked him again, "Did you see the aircraft?" The controller answered, "I can't see a thing, but he's calling me now."
On a different frequency, a ground controller asked, "Israir 102, are you clear?" "We are now clear of the runway," the pilot answered. "We crossed the runway."
"The New York Times", which published the protocol yesterday, said that although some accidents are caused by language problems, the Israir pilot spoke English well.
Turk said that the FAA was examining the incident, and considered it a case of pilot error, a pilot failing to obey instructions, or a violation of regulations. At the same time, he noted that the investigation had not ended, and it could not be determined whether the pilot was responsible for the incident.
Turk said, "The investigation has been going on for a month, and we won't take any measures against any party until it is finished. The pilot can continue flying here. We don't draw up Israir's flying schedule."
Assuming that the pilot has no US pilot's license, Turk said, the FAA can recommend that the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) take steps against him, and this may be done. He said that measures against the US pilot could range from a reprimand to suspension or cancellation of his license, "depending on the circumstances."
Published by Globes [online]- www.globes.co.il - on August 25, 2005
