The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a near-collision incident involving a private jet that transported the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team. This event occurred on Friday at Los Angeles International Airport when the jet almost crossed a runway as another aircraft was taking off.
The private jet, operated by Key Lime Air, was instructed by air traffic controllers to halt its approach as a Delta Airlines flight was departing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
According to a statement from the FAA, “Air traffic controllers directed Key Lime Air Flight 563 to hold short of crossing a runway at Los Angeles International Airport because a second aircraft was taking off from the runway at the time.” The statement continued, explaining that when the Embraer E135 jet moved toward the hold bars, controllers urgently instructed the pilots to stop. Thankfully, the jet did not cross the runway edge line.
A livestream dedicated to plane spotting captured the moment, including audio of an air traffic controller urgently directing the Key Lime Air flight to “stop, stop, stop.” The pilots complied immediately and proceeded only after a brief pause.
Gonzaga was in Los Angeles for a Saturday game against UCLA, where the No. 19 ranked team faced off against the 15th-ranked Bruins. Unfortunately, Gonzaga lost the match 65-62, marking the first college basketball game held at Intuit Dome, the new home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.
In response to the incident, the university stated in an email on Monday afternoon, “We are aware that the incident at LAX is under investigation and will review the information as it becomes available. Our team members aboard the aircraft were unaware of the situation as it occurred, and we are grateful that the incident ended safely for all.”
Following the incident, Gonzaga continued its schedule and played at Pepperdine on Monday.
Delta Airlines commented, stating, “Delta flight 471 operated as normal, and we are not aware of any communication from the FAA regarding this flight. We are cooperating with aviation officials on their investigation.”
