Another 13 Punished In Near-Collision At Hongqiao Airport Last Week

Two China Eastern airlines airplanes nearly collided at an intersection at China's Hongqiao airport last week, leading to the suspension of the licenses of two air traffic controllers, and disciplinary action against 13 others.

The Shanghai Daily reports that the captain of one of the airplanes involved, He Chao, was recognized for successfully avoiding the accident.

He was the pilot in command of a China Eastern A320, which had been cleared for takeoff. At the same time, a China Eastern A330 had been cleared to taxi across the active runway. The flight crew of the A320 noticed the taxiing A330 as they crossed about 110 knots. The copilot initially braked the airplane before the captain took over and went to full power, getting the airplane off the ground and flying over the A330 by about 60 feet, according to the report.

There were reportedly more than 350 passengers and crew aboard the two aircraft.

An investigation showed that air traffic controllers gave improper instructions to the A330 pilot to taxi across an active runway.

As a result of the incident, two air traffic controllers had their licenses revoked, and 13 others were punished. They were given Party warnings, and had demerits recorded. Some faced losing their official positions, according to the report.

(Image from file. Not incident airplane)

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