Incident Overview
On May 29, 2024, at approximately 1021 eastern daylight time, a runway incursion involving American Airlines (AAL) flight 2134, an Airbus A319-132, and N250AA, a Hawker Beechcraft B300C, resulted in a loss of separation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. No injuries were reported on either aircraft. AAL2134 was operating as a scheduled passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 121 from DCA to Boston Logan International Airport. N250AA was conducting a general aviation flight under 14 CFR Part 91 from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport to DCA.
Sequence of Events
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were visual flight rules with wind from 360 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, and few clouds at 4,000 feet. The DCA Air Traffic Control Tower reported moderate traffic volume with routine complexity. A Traffic Management Initiative for Boston was in effect, and AAL2134 had a release time of 1021 EDT.
According to FAA air traffic control audio recordings, at 1418:19 EDT, the crew of N250AA contacted the local controller, reporting inbound on a 6-mile final for a visual approach to runway 33. The controller issued a traffic advisory about an aircraft in line-up and wait on runway 33, then cleared N250AA to land. Seven seconds later, the controller queried the crew of AAL2134, who acknowledged they had just switched frequencies. At 1418:46, to meet their release time, the controller instructed AAL2134 to proceed ahead of another aircraft and hold short of runway 1.
At 1420:04, with N250AA on a 2-mile final for runway 33, AAL2134 was instructed to line up and wait on runway 1 while awaiting a previous arrival to exit. The controller advised AAL2134 of traffic on a 6-mile final to runway 1. At 1420:40, as N250AA was on an approximate 0.9-mile final, AAL2134 was cleared for takeoff. A traffic advisory was issued for traffic on a 4-mile final to runway 1.
At 1421:09, the Airport Surface Detection Equipment – Model X (ASDE-X) alarmed, alerting the tower to the conflict. At 1421:13, the local controller cancelled AAL2134's takeoff clearance and instructed N250AA to go around. At 1421:19, AAL2134 reported rejecting the takeoff, and at 1421:29, N250AA responded that they were unable to go around as they had already landed. Both aircraft exited their respective runways without further incident.
Investigation
An Air Traffic Control NTSB investigative group was formed, with parties including the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Certified ADS-B data and audio recordings were provided by the FAA. During the week of June 9, 2024, the ATC group convened at DCA ATCT and conducted interviews with the local controller, assistant local controller, ground controller, helicopter controller, cab supervisor, operations manager, NATCA facility representative, and air traffic manager. Safety concerns identified during on-site interviews led to the decision to return with an NTSB Human Performance investigator for supplemental interviews, focusing on human performance aspects of the incident.