American Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff After Business Jet Crosses Runway at Miami Airport

An American Airlines flight bound for Bermuda aborted its takeoff at Miami International Airport on Friday after a business jet crossed the active runway. The incident, which occurred around 6 p.m. ET, brought the two aircraft within approximately a third of a mile of each other.

American Airlines Flight 308 had received clearance for takeoff when the crew visually confirmed another aircraft on the runway and discontinued the procedure. "We appreciate the quick actions of our crew members and thank our customers for their understanding," the airline said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the unauthorized aircraft was a NetJets Flight EJA434, reportedly operated by a third-party maintenance vendor. The FAA is investigating the runway incursion.

Air traffic control audio captured the moments after the incident, with a controller telling the business jet pilot, "You just crossed an active runway." The pilot responded, "You just told me to cross the runway, sir." Another controller clarified, "No, we said Amerijet 461."

According to ATC communications, American Airlines flight 308 was cleared for takeoff on runway 8R, while the business jet was instructed to cross runway 8 left and hold short of runway 8 right.

A NetJets spokesperson stated that the aircraft "was not under NetJets' operational control at the time of the encounter."

American Airlines Flight 308 eventually departed Miami for Bermuda, arriving approximately two hours behind schedule, according to flight tracking data.

This incident occurs as airports prepare for increased travel for the July 4 holiday and follows a series of recent close calls involving commercial aircraft. In March, an Air Canada flight was involved in a fatal collision with an emergency truck on an active runway at LaGuardia Airport. Additionally, a United Airlines flight reported a near miss with a drone while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport last week, and an American Airlines plane and a Delta jet were involved in a near miss at Boston Logan International Airport the previous week.