FAA's own plane involved in near-collision

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into a close call between a USAirways plane taking off from National Airport and one of the FAA's own planes.

The twin-engine, 37-seat USAirways express propeller plane had been cleared to take off Monday and had just become airborne when the FAA Learjet taxied onto the runway in front of it, the FAA said.

"The commuter aircraft was airborne before the intersection and flew over the top of the Learjet," the FAA said in a statement.

No one was reported injured. Witnesses told The Washington Post that less than 100 feet separated the two aircraft.

FAA and National Airport officials told the Post it was unclear why the FAA jet, after landing on a separate runway, did not turn onto a taxiway as controllers told it to do and instead traveled about 1,500 feet past the turn and onto the runway where the USAirways plane was taking off.

"This incident has been initially reported as a controller error," the FAA statement said. "A detailed investigation is under way to determine other factors such as pilot-controller communications that may have been contributory."

The FAA said its Learjet was on a routine operation and that no passengers were aboard the plane.

Related stories:

• FAA proposes new de-icing regulations for Embraer aircraft - May 13,1997
• Reconstruction of TWA wreckage complete - May 12, 1997

Related sites:

• US Airways
• FAA
• Learjet

Sound off on our message boards Tell us what you think! You said it...

© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.