LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday in which a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team nearly crossed a runway as a Delta flight was taking off.
The aircraft, operated by Key Lime Air, was instructed by air traffic controllers to stop before crossing a runway to allow the Delta plane to take off. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
In a statement, the FAA explained that controllers ordered the Key Lime Air Flight 563 to halt before crossing the runway, as a second aircraft was taking off. The jet came close to the runway edge, but controllers quickly intervened, instructing the pilots to stop before it crossed the line. The plane then proceeded after a brief pause.
A livestream video captured the incident, showing the moment when controllers urgently instructed the Key Lime Air flight to “stop, stop, stop.” The aircraft halted immediately and resumed its movement shortly afterward.
Gonzaga’s team was in Los Angeles for a game against UCLA, which the Bulldogs lost 65-62 in the first college basketball game played at Intuit Dome, the new home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.
Gonzaga University responded to the incident by expressing awareness of the ongoing investigation and confirming that their team members were unaware of the situation at the time. “We are grateful that the incident ended safely for all,” the university said in a statement.
Key Lime Air did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Los Angeles World Airports referred inquiries to the FAA. A spokesperson for Delta Airlines confirmed that its flight operated normally and stated that the airline is cooperating with the investigation.
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