Incident Overview
On September 12, 2024, at approximately 0914 central daylight time, Alaska Airlines flight 369 (ASA369), a Boeing 737-900 (registration N919AK), rejected its takeoff on runway 13 at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville, Tennessee. The takeoff rejection occurred after Southwest Airlines flight 2029 (SWA2029), a Boeing 737-700 (registration N225WN), crossed runway 13 at taxiway T5. No damage to either aircraft and no injuries to crew or passengers on either airplane were reported.
Flight Details
ASA369 was operating as a scheduled domestic passenger flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from BNA to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, Washington. SWA2029 was similarly operating under Part 121 as a scheduled domestic passenger flight from BNA to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Jacksonville, Florida.
Timeline of Events
A timeline constructed from certified air traffic control (ATC) audio recordings and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) details the sequence:
- At 0912:11, the Local Controller instructed the flight crew of ASA369 to line up and wait on runway 13, with a correct readback.
- At 0913:01, the SWA2029 flight crew contacted the Ground Controller.
- At 0913:05, the Ground Controller instructed SWA2029 to proceed to runway 20C and to cross runway 13 at taxiway T5.
- At 0913:13, the SWA2029 flight crew correctly read back the taxi instructions.
- At 0913:28, the Local Controller cleared ASA369 for takeoff on runway 13, with good readback.
- At 0914:30, the flight crew of ASA369 reported aborting the takeoff, followed by the Local Controller canceling the takeoff clearance.
- At 0915:10, the Local Controller asked ASA369 if they could exit on Taxiway 4, and they responded affirmatively.
Post-Incident Actions
ASA369 exited runway 13 onto Taxiway T4 and proceeded to the gate area. While waiting for an open gate, fuse plugs deflated all four main landing gear tires. Passengers deplaned via air stairs on the ramp. SWA2029 taxied to runway 20C, received takeoff clearance, and departed BNA for JAX.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was notified of the incident. Specialists in operations, air traffic control, human factors, aircraft performance, flight data recorder (FDR), and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were assigned. The ATC group convened at the BNA air traffic control tower during the week of September 16 to conduct interviews and review documentation. Parties to the investigation include the FAA, National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA), Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (APA), and Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The FDR and CVR were retrieved from the Alaska Airlines airplane, and the FDR was retrieved from the Southwest Airlines airplane. The CVR from the Southwest Airlines airplane had been overwritten. All recorders were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory, and data has been retrieved. The Operations Group will conduct interviews of both flight crews involved in the incursion. The investigation continues.