Private Jet Nearly Lands on Top of Southwest Airliner, Avoiding Collision by Just 100 Feet

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A pilot flying a private jet narrowly avoided a crash with a Southwest Airlines 737 last week when it came within 100 feet of landing on top of the airliner.

A Cessna Citation business jet was told to cut short its landing approach Aug. 11 at San Diego International Airport and circle around because a Southwest plane was still on the runway, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

According to the agency’s preliminary review, an air traffic controller cleared the private jet to land and then told the Southwest pilots to taxi on to the same runway and wait for approval to take off, ABC News reported.

The private jet was able to pull up and circle before landing safely. Nobody was hurt in the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.

“It’s a big concern for me and the agency,” Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, told CNN. “I worry about potential tragedy.”

Collision warning alarms alerted air traffic controllers “about the developing situation,” and controllers ordered the crew of the Citation to abort their landing and go around, Fox Business reported.

Archived air traffic control audio reviewed by CNN from LiveATC.net reveals the pilot of the incoming Cessna Citation jet apparently noticing the Southwest plane was still on the runway.

“Verify Four Hotel Victor is still clear to land?” asked the pilot of the Citation.

“Citation Four Hotel Victor go around, fly the published missed approach,” said the controller in tower.

“Alright, going around, Four Hotel Victor,” replied the pilot of the Citation.

The air traffic controller in the tower then told the waiting Southwest flight to taxi clear of the runway.

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