An American Airlines pilot reported nearly colliding with a truck at Charlotte’s airport on Wednesday after two vehicles pulled out in front of it near a gate.
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting the driver after he said he had to “slam on the brakes” while pulling out of an alley at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
“We nearly hit them. I had to slam on the brakes. We had our taxi light on when we started moving. … Someone’s got to be notified right away. That was really bad,” the pilot is heard saying in a recording reviewed by JS.
Video provided by the airport shows Flight 1197 coming to an abrupt halt after attempting to leave a parked position as two trucks cross its path.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Though the plane was on the ground and did not appear to be moving at a high speed, a spokesperson for American stressed that all ground vehicles are required to yield to aircraft at all times, especially since the pilot’s visibility can be limited. They thanked the airport for launching an investigation.
“It can be difficult or impossible for pilots to see vehicles and pedestrians, particularly behind the wings or under the nose of the aircraft,” they said in a statement that identified the vehicles as associated with the airport.
Pilots, if parked in an airport apron, also called a ramp, may also be distracted with preflight checks, they said of reduced visibility.
An airport representative told JS that no injuries or property damage were reported, and there were no impacts to airport operations.
“Safety and security remain top priorities at CLT, and this incident is being reviewed in accordance with established safety standards,” they said in an email.
The incident follows an Air Canada jet colliding with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport last month, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of others.
An incident similar to the one in Charlotte also reportedly occurred at Los Angeles International Airport, when a Frontier Airlines flight reported being cut off by two trucks while taxiing April 8.
The pilot at LAX reported having to brake unexpectedly in a near-miss that left the flight crew rattled.
“It happened so fast. Both of us were just like, ‘holy shit,’ and then we just slammed on the brakes. I might have to call the flight attendants to make sure everyone’s all right in the back. It was real close. Closest I’ve ever seen,” he said in an air traffic control recording reviewed by JS.
