breaking News: Southwest Airlines Flight Grounded in orlando After Runway Misidentification Incident
Orlando, FL – March 20, 2025 – In a developing story this evening, ABC World news Tonight with David Muir brings you an exclusive report from aviation correspondent Gio Benitez. Benitez is on the scene in Orlando, Florida, where a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a dramatic aborted takeoff earlier today at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The incident occurred when the flight crew, preparing for departure, mistakenly aligned their aircraft onto a taxiway instead of the designated runway.
Sources within the Federal aviation Administration (FAA) have confirmed preliminary reports indicating that the flight, scheduled for departure too an as-yet undisclosed destination, was accelerating for takeoff when air traffic control intervened. Alert controllers recognized the aircraft’s unusual positioning on the taxiway, which runs parallel to the active runway, and promptly instructed the pilots to cease takeoff operations.
Eyewitness accounts from passengers aboard the Southwest flight describe a sudden and forceful deceleration as the pilots responded to the urgent command from air traffic control. “It was definitely a jolt,” recounted one passenger via social media, “One minute we were speeding up, and the next, the brakes slammed on. Everyone was a bit shaken, but thankfully, it seems like everyone is okay.”
Aviation safety experts emphasize the critical importance of precise runway identification and adherence to air traffic control instructions during takeoff procedures. “Runway incursions,where an aircraft incorrectly enters a runway or taxiway,are a serious concern in aviation safety,” explains retired pilot Captain Emily Carter. “Fortunately, in this instance, the air traffic controllers were vigilant and acted swiftly to prevent a perhaps hazardous situation. This highlights the multiple layers of safety protocols in place within the aviation system.”
Gio Benitez, reporting live from Orlando International Airport, is expected to provide further updates throughout the broadcast on ABC World news Tonight. His report will delve into the sequence of events leading to the aborted takeoff, the ongoing examination by the FAA, and the potential impact on flight schedules at MCO. The focus remains on ensuring passenger safety and determining the precise factors that contributed to this concerning incident on a Southwest Airlines flight in Orlando.
Stay tuned to ABC World News Tonight with David Muir for the complete story and continuing coverage of this developing situation.
Source: ABC World News Tonight Broadcast – March 20, 2025
