A Lufthansa Boeing 747 almost collided with a South African Airways (SAA) Airbus A320 at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on February 23.

The Incident

The incident took place around 8:16 p.m. local time. The Lufthansa plane, flying under flight number LH 573 to Frankfurt, was starting to take off from runway 03L when SAA flight SA 422 crossed the runway.

Initial reports suggest that the SAA A320, arriving from Port Elizabeth (PLZ), taxied onto runway 03R without proper authorization. This maneuver placed it directly in the path of the accelerating Lufthansa 747, prompting the pilot to initiate a rejected takeoff at approximately 29 knots.

One user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "One-second difference here, and it would've been a disaster." Meanwhile, another user said: "That's a long runway takeoff due to the altitude of OR Tambo. They're lucky."

An investigation is underway to pinpoint the incident's root cause. The inquiry will analyze air traffic control communications, review pilot actions, and examine potential technical malfunctions. The findings are expected to be crucial in identifying and addressing systemic weaknesses that may have contributed to the near-miss.

The aviation industry will likely implement stricter protocols and enhance communication channels between air traffic control and pilots. Additionally, the renewed emphasis on adherence to established procedures and heightened situational awareness will prevent similar incidents.

Similar Incidents

One of the deadliest runway incursion incidents occurred at Tenerife South Airport (TFN) in 1977. Two Boeing 747 aircraft collided on the runway, resulting in 583 fatalities. The cause was attributed to various factors, including communication issues, poor visibility, and pilot confusion.

On February 27, 2023, a JetBlue flight was forced to abort its landing at Logan International Airport (BOS) because a private jet crossed the runway without authorization. Fortunately, a mid-air collision was averted thanks to the quick actions of the JetBlue crew. This incident highlighted the potential dangers of unauthorized aircraft entries into controlled airspace.

At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on March 7, 2023, a Republic Airways plane taxied across a runway where a United Airlines flight was preparing to take off. A collision was avoided due to the attentiveness of both crews and intervention by air traffic control.

These incidents and the recent near-miss at Johannesburg-O. R. Tambo demonstrates the importance of vigilance and improvement in air traffic control procedures, pilot training, and technological advancements. Each incident is a learning experience, encouraging the aviation industry to adapt and implement stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences.

It is important to remember that despite these incidents, commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation globally. However, the constant pursuit of even greater safety remains a critical objective for the entire aviation industry.