Picture credits: Orlando International Airport
Florida: Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 was forced to abort takeoff at Orlando International Airport after the crew mistakenly attempted to depart from a taxiway instead of the designated runway. The incident occurred on March 20, 2025, as the aircraft prepared to depart for Albany, New York.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an air traffic controller identified the error and immediately canceled the takeoff clearance. “An air traffic controller at Orlando International Airport canceled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 3278, after the aircraft began its takeoff roll on a taxiway,” the FAA stated.
The plane was supposed to take off from Runway 17R but mistakenly lined up on Taxiway H, which runs parallel to the runway and is of the same length. Flight data from FlightRadar24 showed that the aircraft had reached a speed of 70 knots (approximately 80 mph) before the takeoff was halted. Typically, aircraft taxi at around 35 mph, and a Boeing 737 requires about 150 mph for takeoff.
Southwest Airlines acknowledged the mistake, stating that its crew “mistook the surface for the nearby runway.” The aircraft came to a safe stop, and no injuries were reported.
Taxiways are used by aircraft to move between gates, hangars, and runways but are not designed for takeoffs. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, and Southwest Airlines has assured cooperation with authorities.
Passengers were later accommodated on another aircraft, which completed the flight to Albany.
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