A private jet crash at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport has shed light on the fact that the aircraft ignored two warnings to stop moving before colliding with another small plane. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report on Wednesday detailing the incident that occurred on October 24.
According to the report, the private jet suffered damage upon landing when it was struck by the other plane. The pilot claimed to have not seen the approaching aircraft and only heard what he thought was a tire blowout on the nearby freeway. The NTSB report includes close-up photos showing a damaged wing on the jet at fault.
Investigators discovered that the crew of the private jet believed they had received clearance for takeoff, but in reality, the air traffic controller had instructed them to wait. When the control tower noticed the jet moving, the crew was told to halt their movements, but they did not respond. The jet ultimately took off but returned to the airport just one minute later.
As per the report, crew members on the private jet revealed that they only spotted the other plane about a second before the collision occurred, describing the impact as a thud. The NTSB is currently analyzing the black box recording from the crashed jet for further insights.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the crash. Nevertheless, the incident disrupted nearly 150 flights departing from or arriving at Hobby Airport that day.
It is essential to learn from this incident in order to prevent future accidents and ensure the safety of air travel. The NTSB’s investigation will likely provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the crash. The report highlights the importance of adhering to air traffic control instructions and maintaining vigilance while on the runway.
