Unauthorized Charter Jet Takes Off, Causes Conflict with JetBlue Flight
In a shocking incident at Boston Logan International Airport on February 27, the pilot of a charter jet took off without authorization, leading to a terrifying conflict with a JetBlue flight. The entire incident was captured on the cockpit video of the JetBlue flight, providing a chilling glimpse of the moment the Hop-A-Jet aircraft crossed the runway in front of them.
According to reports, the Boston tower controller had instructed the pilot of the charter jet to line up and wait, as JetBlue Flight 206 was cleared to land. However, in a grave error, the pilot of the Hop-A-Jet plane disregarded the instructions and initiated the takeoff-roll instead.
The seriousness of the situation was immediately recognized by the airport surface detection equipment, which alerted the controller about the impending danger. The controller promptly issued go-around instructions to the JetBlue flight, ordering them to abort their landing and resequence for arrival.
Fortunately, the JetBlue pilots acted swiftly and initiated the go-around before reaching the intersection. The closest proximity between the two planes was estimated to be about 30 feet off the ground. A go-around is a flight procedure where an arriving aircraft aborts landing and prepares for another approach.
The Hop-A-Jet captain later claimed to have misheard the instructions and believed they had received clearance for takeoff instead of being told to wait. In a concerning lapse in communication, the pilot proceeded to take off at 6:55 local time, unaware of the grave error committed.
Meanwhile, the JetBlue plane executed the go-around as instructed and passed approximately 400 feet above the Hop-A-Jet plane. The co-pilot of the charter jet, who is only 23 years old, revealed that the captain had assured them they were cleared to take off.
In the aftermath of the incident, the pilot cited both the cold temperature and feeling unwell as contributing factors to the devastating mistake. However, the Hop-A-Jet company declined to comment on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.
This alarming event highlights the critical importance of following air traffic control instructions to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. Investigations into the incident are expected to shed light on any potential communication breakdowns and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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