FAA administrator draws a line on AI: ‘Assist controllers, not replace controllers’
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford outlined his view of air travel’s future, stressing that the aviation system remains exceptionally safe while noting ongoing work to make it even safer. He pointed to artificial intelligence as an increasingly important tool in air traffic management, drone operations and the careful certification of emerging technologies such as flying taxis. Bedford also underscored that safety will remain the FAA’s central focus as it advances a multibillion-dollar modernization effort.
An American Airlines flight headed to Bermuda was forced to stop its takeoff Friday at Miami International Airport after a business jet crossed the active runway, leaving the two aircraft roughly one-third of a mile apart.
Although runway movements were being directed by air traffic control commands, pilots in the American Airlines cockpit avoided a potentially disastrous collision by visually spotting the other aircraft rather than relying solely on cockpit instruments.
“After receiving clearance, American Airlines flight 308 discontinued its takeoff when the crew observed another aircraft on the runway,” American Airlines said in a statement to News Agency. “We appreciate the quick actions of our crew members and thank our customers for their understanding.”
In a statement to News Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration said the business jet crossed the runway “without authorization” and confirmed that the agency is investigating the incident.
American Airlines flight 308, bound for Bermuda, avoided a serious runway accident before departure and later arrived safely in Bermuda after its pilots relied on visual confirmation. (Flight Aware)
Air traffic control recordings captured the tense moments surrounding the close call.
“You just crossed an active runway,” an air traffic controller told the business jet pilot after the incident, which occurred around 6 p.m. ET.
“You just told me to cross the runway, sir,” the pilot replied.
“No, we said Amerijet 461,” the controller responded.
An American Airlines jet at Miami International Airport averting a near tragedy Friday night. (Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto)
ATC audio confirms the American Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff on runway eight in Miami, while the business jet, NetJets Flight EJA434, reportedly being operated by a third-party maintenance vendor, mistakenly believed clearance from ATC was intended for it.
“RNAV Jamba clear for takeoff 8R, American 308,” one air traffic controller instructed.
“Amerijet 461, cross runway eight left, hold short of runway eight right,” another said.
“Four Quebec Sierra, you just crossed an active runway: Hold short of runway eight left,” another urged.
A NetJets spokesperson told News Agency that “EJA434 was not under NetJets’ operational control at the time of the encounter.”
Officials investigate the site, Monday, March 23, 2026, where an Air Canada jet came to rest after colliding with a Port Authority firetruck at LaGuardia Airport, shortly after landing Sunday night in New York. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
The American Airlines flight 308 later departed Miami for Bermuda, arriving around two hours late, according to FlightAware tracking data.
The scare comes as airports prepare for heavy July 4 travel and follows a series of recent close calls involving commercial aircraft and runway traffic.
In March, an Air Canada flight crash-landed after an emergency truck mistakenly crossed an active runway, with ATC urging it to “stop, stop, stop,” leaving two pilots dead and 42 injured in a fiery crash.
A United Airlines flight reported a near miss with a drone Friday while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport. The pilot said the aircraft “almost hit a drone,” which was about 100 feet below the plane, according to reports. United’s flight landed safely and passengers deplaned normally.
Last week, an American Airlines plane and a Delta jet were involved in a near miss at Boston Logan International Airport. Aviation experts estimated the two aircraft came within about 300 feet of each other, according to the New York Post.
