it's a dark foggy night in Providence
the gloom United 1448 a Boeing 757 has
just landed on runway five right behind
it to other aircraft a FedEx 727 and a
US air 737 are waiting to take off from
the same runway because of the low
visibility the tower controller is
relying on the pilots to report their
positions on the airport 14:40 what's
your position
[Music]
14:48 thank you Texas evanthia Texas no
Supper and tango okay but the crew of
United 1448 makes a mistake instead of
continuing on November they turn left
onto taxiway Bravo and head back toward
the runway they just landed on the
controller has no way of knowing this
however and continues to clear aircraft
for takeoff Dec 16 60 to remain five
right why runway heading cleared for
takeoff heading take off by writing 1662
starting to sense that something isn't
right
United 1448 asks the controller to
verify that they're cleared to cross the
runway intersection ahead of them
assuming that the aircraft is where it's
supposed to be the controller says yes
inadvertently steering it toward an
active runway
14:48 is on november by the runway here
they don't see the litter box a hat on
November 14 4800 approximately 1:15
check today November tango on the other
side
hang on the other side United working
for you
the United crew taxis under runway
one-six and is about to enter its
intersection with runway two three left
when they get a sudden surprise and the
united 1448 we're a perk a kilo here
[Music]
14:48 with just a few November is tango
I even know what runway you're on I
can't make anything from the dollar the
United pilots think they're at the
intersection of runways 1 6 and 2/3
right when in fact they're at the
intersection of runways 1 6 and 2 3 left
still be leaving the aircraft to be
safely away from the active runway the
controller continues to clear aircraft
for takeoff
ma'am we are on two three right
intersection of 1 6 and we did not
connect on November we are we are by
kilos who are right and we're just
overshot Tito we did not see it run away
on 2 3 left here united stand by see if
they're 2998 when we 5xy runway heading
search for they go ma'am on sign up by
sewer and an active runway united 14:48
right is not friendly at the taxiway
when were IFR in the dark the other 2998
from a side right why runway heading for
takeoff listening to the confusion on
the radio US air 2998 senses that
something is wrong despite having been
cleared for takeoff twice its crew
chooses to hold their position 2998 so
we figure out what's going on down there
just test a clear moment right here 29
idea Roger hold short of only 5 right
anywhere here the runway that you can
fall short
ok it was a wise choice I pay attention
to the big picture and staying put until
the confusion was resolved the crew of
US Air 2998 prevented a second incident
one that could easily have had
disastrous consequences
you