Plane aborts takeoff in Atlanta to avoid collision

ATLANTA -- A Delta Air Lines plane had to abort a takeoff Wednesday to avoid running into another plane, CBS affiliate WGCL-TV reports.

The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is the busiest airport in the world.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Flight 873 was cleared to take off on Runway 27 Right when Delta Flight 749 crossed the runway after landing.

"The air traffic controller handling the flights immediately instructed Delta 873 to abort its takeoff," according to a statement from the FAA.

The FAA says the two planes were separated by 1 1/4 miles when Flight 749 crossed the runway.

Scott Fowler, a Charlotte Observer columnist on Flight 873 reported that, according to the pilots, the plane was moving at 120 knots, or about 140 mph, when the takeoff was aborted.

He told CBS News' Kris Van Cleave it was about 15 seconds of sheer terror.

"You know I have four children, none of them have even gone to college yet. I can't afford to die, all right, I gotta be here," he said. "I'm just glad that ultimately everybody was okay."

A pilot announced over the plane's public address system that air traffic controllers made an "administrative mistake," Observer columnist Scott Fowler wrote.

University of Georgia head basketball coach Mark Fox tweeted after the incident that the "pilot was terrific in the clutch."

The FAA identified the two planes as a McDonnell-Douglas MD-90 and MD-88.

In:
• Georgia