Southwest pilots use evasive action to avoid collision at airport, company says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Southwest Airlines says crews were forced to use evasive action to avoid a collision at Nashville International Airport over the weekend.

According to Southwest, while approaching the Nashville airport in gusty wind conditions, pilots of Southwest Flight 507 executed a precautionary go-around.

During that action, the pilots used instructions from air traffic control and an onboard traffic alert to avoid “conflicting” with Southwest Flight 1152, which was departing from another runway.

“The crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 507 initiated a go-around at Nashville International Airport and then received instructions from air traffic control that put the flight in the path of another airplane that was departing from a parallel runway,” Southwest said in a statement regarding the situation.

Flight 507 was able to land after the go-around, with Flight 1152 continuing to its destination in Knoxville.

“Both flight crews responded to onboard alerts,” the airline said. “Southwest appreciates the professionalism of its pilots and flight crews in responding to the event.

Southwest shared that it was speaking to the Federal Aviation Administration, as the agency is also investigating.

“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the airline shared.