10-foot aircraft close call sparks NTSB probe

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a close call at a Pennsylvania airport involving a Chicago-bound aircraft.

The near-miss on a runway at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown brought two planes within 10 feet of each other. The NTSB reported a privately owned Cessna had landed and was taxiing at about 7:45 p.m. Friday at the same time a Mesa Airlines/United Express flight was picking up speed on the same runway before departing. The United Express pilot saw the Cessna ahead and aborted the takeoff, swerving around the other plane.

A United spokesman said the plane had 39 passengers on board and was headed for O'Hare International Airport.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association issued a statement Monday saying the incident exposed problems resulting from staffing facilities with trainees.