When United 1448 Entered the Wrong Runway…

For thse pilots on a foggy night, poor communication and following directions makes a routine landing turn into a nightmare, and United 1448 entered the wrong runway...

In a chilling near-miss at Theodore Francis Green State Airport on December 6, 1999, United Airlines flight 1448, a Boeing 757, strayed onto an active runway in foggy conditions, narrowly avoiding a potential collision with another aircraft. A combination of miscommunication between the flight crew and air traffic control, exacerbated by limited visibility, led to a tense sequence of events that highlighted the vulnerabilities of airport operations in low-visibility situations. The incident, investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, served as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication and precise procedures in safeguarding air travel.