Additional Coverage:
- Delta flight was going 60 mph down runway when Aeromexico plane landed in front of it (abcnews.go.com)
Close Call: Delta, Aeromexico Jets Nearly Collide on Mexico City Runway
A Delta Air Lines flight narrowly avoided a collision with an Aeromexico jet at Mexico City International Airport on Monday. Delta Flight 590, bound for Atlanta with 150 passengers on board, was accelerating for takeoff when the crew spotted Aeromexico Flight 1631 landing directly in its path on the same runway (5R). The Delta flight aborted takeoff at approximately 60 mph, averting a potential disaster.
Preliminary data suggests the two aircraft came within a mere 200 feet of each other. Air traffic control recordings captured the tense moments, with the Delta pilot stating, “We are holding on the runway,” followed by an exclamation of “Wow” and “Increíble” – Spanish for “incredible” – from an unknown voice. It remains unclear whether the exclamation came from another pilot or an air traffic controller.
Aviation experts are pointing to a potential communication breakdown as the likely cause of the near-miss. Former fighter pilot and aviation consultant Steve Ganyard noted the presence of parallel runways at the airport, raising questions about whether the Aeromexico flight was mistakenly directed to the wrong runway. It’s also possible, he suggested, that air traffic control failed to properly coordinate the landing and takeoff clearances.
Both Delta and Aeromexico have pledged full cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigation. Delta commended its flight crew for their quick thinking and adherence to safety protocols, while Aeromexico reaffirmed its commitment to passenger and employee safety. The Mexican Aviation Authority has not yet released a statement on the incident.