Southwest Flight Mistook MCO Taxiway For Runway

NBC News reports:

A Southwest Airlines flight nearly took off from a Florida taxiway on Thursday before an air traffic controller stopped the potentially dangerous departure, officials said.

The incident involving Flight 3278 unfolded at Orlando International Airport at 9:30 a.m. as the plane attempted to depart for Albany, officials said. Southwest Airlines said its crew “mistook the surface for the nearby runway” and no injuries were reported.

Taxiways are used by planes to get to runways, from gates and hangars. They’re not designed for takeoffs. While federal officials continue to remind Americans that air travel is as safe as it’s ever been, a series of recent catastrophes and incidents has spooked the flying public.

Read the full article.