Two jets on Las Vegas runway experience near miss

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 | 10:10 a.m.

The planes did not collide in the Sept. 22 incident, and no one was hurt.

About 100 feet separated the planes in what the Federal Aviation Administration characterized on Wednesday as a runway incursion but the airport director called a "near-miss."

The FAA said it did not appear the pilots of America West Flight 539 to Cleveland and Air Canada Flight 593 from Toronto had to take evasive action.

The controller, whose name was not made public, was faulted for allowing the Air Canada jet, which had just landed, to taxi across a runway where the America West jet was taking off. He was removed from duty immediately after the incident and decertified as a controller, FAA spokesman Donn Walker said.

The controller had more than 10 years of experience at McCarran, the nation's sixth-busiest airport. He could be recertified if he undergoes remedial training, Walker said.

Officials did not immediately know how many passengers or crew were on each plane. The America West flight was an Airbus A320 capable of carrying 150 passengers. The Air Canada flight was an Airbus A319 with seating for 120 passengers.