Close call at Atlanta's airport prompts takeoff abort

ATLANTA - A federal investigation has been launched after Miami-bound Delta flight at Atlanta’s airport had to abort takeoff after another aircraft crossing the same runway, according to authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident which happened on April 27 around 10:30 a.m. Officials said Delta Flight 873 was cleared for departure as another jet, Delta Flight 749, was crossing the same runway. There was a distance of a little over a mile separating the two Delta jets on the runway when the problem was spotted. The controller gave an urgent command for the pilot to abort takeoff.

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Officials said the two planes should not have been on the same strip of pavement unless both planes were taxing slowly and could safely see each other.

Authorities declined comment when asked if the controller at work that day had been removed from the desk.

No word on when the full report will be available.