Additional details have been revealed behind the heart-stopping runway incursion in January 2023 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). On January 29, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened its investigation docket, illustrating how close an American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER and Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER came to tragedy.

Close Call at JFK

On January 13, 2023, American Airlines Flight 106 was taxiing for departure to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). The aircraft was a Boeing 777-200ER, N754AN, carrying 137 passengers and 12 crew. According to The Aviation Herald, the 777 was taxiing on Taxiway Bravo toward Runway 4L for takeoff. It was cleared by JFK Tower to turn right onto Taxiway Kilo and cross Runway 31L.

Instead, the 777 continued straight on Taxiway Bravo, later entering Taxiway Juliet. It taxied along Juliet and, unbeknownst to the pilots, crossed Runway 4L at the 4,000-foot mark. At that same time, Delta Air Lines Flight 1943 to Santo Domingo (SDQ) had been cleared for takeoff on 4L and was accelerating down the runway. The aircraft was a Boeing 737-900ER, N914DU, carrying 153 passengers and six crew.

The tower soon noticed the situation and ordered the 737 to cancel takeoff clearance. The pilots of the Delta flight were able to decelerate in time and vacated by turning left on Taxiway Juliet. Because of the American flight's pilot deviation, JFK Tower instructed the pilots to call a specific phone number. Flight 106 ended up departing 30 minutes later off RWY 31L. 

The Delta flight was not so lucky, as it returned to the gate and remained on the ground for another 15 hours. Flight 1943 eventually departed and reached Santo Domingo over 14 hours late.

What Went Wrong?

According to the NTSB, the three pilots of American 106 understood that they were supposed to depart on Runway 4L. However, they had initially planned a takeoff from Runway 31L before later being instructed for the 4L departure. Based on the actual path taken by the 777, the aircraft was heading toward the 31L threshold. Despite the pilots being instructed for a 4L departure, no reason has been given for the plane still heading the wrong way.

Investigators claim that they tried several times to interview the pilots of American Airlines 106 as they were the ones at fault here. However, the pilots refused due to advice from their union, the Allied Pilots Association, due to objections over NTSB recording the interviews.

This noncompliance made the NTSB issue a subpoena to the three American Airlines pilots. A subpoena is a formal written order that requires a person or people to appear in legal proceedings. This worked, and the pilots were able to speak with investigators.

AA106's Captain Michael Graber told investigators that he was aware of JFK Tower's taxi instructions to 4L but got distracted by a heavy workload. This reverted his thinking to the idea that his aircraft was to take off from 31L. When speaking to investigators, Captain Graber noted something was wrong as he crossed 4L. This was due to the runway's red PAPI lights, indicating that it was not safe to be on the runway.

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Co-pilot Traci Gonzalez was also aware that they were to cross 31L. However, she was "unaware of the aircraft's position" as they were crossing 4L. Gonzalez knew they were crossing a runway but did not realize it was 4L instead of 31L. Gonzalez also blamed various distractions for this event, particularly different weather alerts.

A third pilot on board, Relief Captain Jeffrey Wagner, reported he was "heads down" and did not know where the plane was as it taxied onto RWY 4L. As they were crossing the runway, Wagner said he noticed the Delta 737 to the right. However, he thought it was just taxiing behind them when it was, in reality, barreling towards them.

The three pilots are not currently flying for American and are expected to appear for further interviews at the NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C.