Southwest Flight Aborts Takeoff at the Last Moment Due to Runway Incursion
At San Antonio International Airport in the United States, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX passenger aircraft aborted its takeoff roll at the last moment after an unauthorized aircraft was detected on the runway.
Flight #WN4996, preparing to operate to Dallas Love Field, was accelerating on Runway 22 when air traffic control abruptly canceled the takeoff clearance. At the same time, another aircraft on final approach was instructed to go around. The tower stated that intervention was made after a private aircraft was seen entering the runway area.
The Southwest cockpit crew rejected the takeoff at approximately 90 knots and safely brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. No injuries were reported. After holding briefly on the runway, the aircraft vacated and returned to the holding point.
It was reported that the flight had already experienced about an 80-minute delay before the first takeoff attempt, and after checks were completed, the aircraft departed again about 40 minutes later. The flight arrived in Dallas roughly two hours later than scheduled.
