MINNEAPOLIS — Two airliners, one preparing to take off from MSP, the other landing, almost collided with 300 people aboard. The close call was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration as a “near miss” that warranted a full investigation: Pilot error? Ground control error? An electronics glitch? Stay tuned. Passengers on the departing Delta flight, still on the ground powering up for take-off from Runway 30L, were unaware of the peril. On the American plane, however, passengers were pressed deep into their seats by the abruptly aborted sudden all-power acceleration and veering sharply away from Runway 30L. Passengers in left window seats could see the Delta plane on the runway just below them.
MSP near-miss
> Delta Flight 1163. Heading for Santa Ana, California. A Airbus A220-300 with 149 seats. Departure time: 6:15 p.m.
> American Flight 2406. Arriving from Dallas. A Boeing 737-800 with 148 seats. Arrival time: 615 p.m.