Lufthansa jet narrowly avoids collision at JFK

[marmar]

New York (CNN) -- A Lufthansa jumbo jet nearly collided with another plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport Monday after an EgyptAir flight apparently veered into its path just as the jet barreled down the runway, according to air traffic controller tapes.

The near miss was captured on audio recordings, revealing an air traffic controller communicating with the Lufthansa pilot, yelling "Cancel takeoff! Cancel takeoff plans!" as the two planes moved toward each other.

The pilot of the Lufthansa jet acknowledged as the plane rolled to a halt.

Lufthansa Flight 411, an Airbus 340 packed with 286 passengers and crew, was cleared for takeoff by air traffic control shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/22/new.york.jfk.near.miss/

[elleng]

1. Those 340s are HUGE! Was one one couple months ago.

AMAZING wing span.