Runway Incursion and Near Collision at Baltimore/Washington International Airport

Casualties unknown • Baltimore, MD, US

A Comair Regional Jet overflew an America West Airbus A320 during takeoff at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, triggering an AMASS alert.

What happened

On December 2, 2007, at approximately 7:21 pm EST, a Bombardier Regional Jet (CRJ) operating as Comair flight 5412 was cleared for takeoff from runway 15R at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). At the time of the takeoff clearance, the aircraft, registered as COM5412, was positioned on taxiway A, approximately 500 feet short of the runway.

Simultaneously, an America West flight 83, an Airbus A320, was on final approach for landing on runway 10. The tower controller had cleared the Airbus to land while it was approximately 6 miles from the airport. During the takeoff roll, the Comair aircraft rotated at the intersection of taxiway F and runway 15R, subsequently flying over the America West aircraft. The incident occurred under night visual meteorological conditions with light rain, mist, and a ceiling of 1,000 feet broken.

An AMASS alert was triggered during the event. Initial reports indicated that the Comair jet passed over the America West aircraft by approximately 300 feet. The America West flight exited runway 10 via runway 22 and there were no injuries or fatalities reported in this incident.

Probable cause

The local controller cleared the Bombardier Regional Jet for takeoff while an Airbus A320 was on final approach to a different runway, leading to a near collision.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2007-12-03 Bombardier, Inc. CRJ1 accident near Baltimore, MD?

A Comair Regional Jet overflew an America West Airbus A320 during takeoff at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, triggering an AMASS alert.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-12-03 involved a Bombardier, Inc. CRJ1, registration N781CA, operated by Comair Inc, at Baltimore, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The local controller cleared the Bombardier Regional Jet for takeoff while an Airbus A320 was on final approach to a different runway, leading to a near collision.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20080124X00102. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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