FAA: US Airways pilot took wrong turn at Philadelphia airport
Associated Press
Updated Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 1:19 pm
PHILADELPHIA — The pilot of a US Airways flight is under investigation for veering into the path of another airplane over the weekend, federal authorities said Thursday.
A US Airways flight from Las Vegas landed shortly before midnight Sunday at the Philadelphia International Airport.
The pilot was told by air traffic controllers to take a right on a taxiway, said Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. Instead, the pilot took a left and crossed over a runway being used by an Air Wisconsin flight to Cincinnati. Air traffic controllers told the Air Wisconsin pilot to turn at the closest taxiway to avoid a collision.
A preliminary report shows that over 1,000 feet separated the two planes, Salac said.
US Airways officials declined immediate comment.
