American Airlines aborts takeoff after jet on Miami runway

An American Airlines flight bound for Bermuda aborted its takeoff at Miami International Airport on Friday, June 26, after a business jet crossed onto the active runway without authorization, bringing the two aircraft within about a third of a mile of each other. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

The American Airlines Airbus A319, Flight 308, was accelerating for takeoff when its crew visually identified the other aircraft on the runway and initiated an emergency stop. The flight was carrying 112 passengers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the business jet, NetJets Flight EJA434, crossed the runway "without authorization," and an investigation into the incident is underway.

Air traffic control audio captured the immediate aftermath. A controller informed the business jet pilot, "You just crossed an active runway." The pilot responded, "You just told me to cross the runway, sir," to which the controller clarified, "No, we said Amerijet 461." The audio indicates the business jet, which was reportedly being operated by a third-party maintenance vendor at the time, may have mistaken its clearance.

American Airlines confirmed the crew discontinued the...