Crash averted between FedEx cargo plane and Southwest Airlines' aircraft

A FedEx cargo plane that was making an attempt to land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS/KAUS) on Saturday had to abort its landing after another plane was given permission to take off from the same runway. "The pilot of the FedEx airplane discontinued the landing and initiated a climb out," the FAA said in a statement. The Boeing 767 cargo airplane was several miles from the airport when it was given "cleared to land" for runway 18L, according to the FAA. But just before it was expected to touch down, an air traffic controller gave the go-ahead for a Boeing 737 operated by Southwest Airlines to take off from the same runway.

In a tweet on Saturday, the National Transportation Safety Board described it as a "possible runway incursion and overflight involving airplanes from Southwest Airlines and FedEx." The Southwest flight was able to depart safely, according to the FAA. 

The Fed Ex aircraft performed a go around and landed safely 11 minutes later on runway 18L.

The FAA and NTSB said they are investigating the incident.

Aircraft Information: No:1

Airline: Fed Ex

Code: FX/FDX

Aircraft: Boeing 767-32LF

Registration: N297FE

Serial Number: 41068

Engine: 2 x GE CF6-80C2B6F

First Flew: 2nd May 2012

Age:  10 Yrs. 8 Mts

Aircraft Information: No: 2

Airline: Southwest Airlines

Code: SW/SWA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-79P

Registration: N7827A

Serial Number: 28255

Engine: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B24

First Flew: 10th February 2003

Age:  20Yrs

These instances have been occurring more frequently in American airports. A similar close call was averted at John F. Kennedy International Airport last month after an American Airlines plane crossed a runway while a Delta Airlines' Boeing 737 plane was preparing for takeoff. 

The Delta plane stopped about 1,000 feet (about 0.3 kilometers) from where the American Airlines plane had crossed from an adjacent taxiway, according to the FAA statement. 

In another incident two United Airlines planes clipped one other's wings at Newark Airport recently.