Quick-Thinking Air Traffic Controller Prevents Disaster at Boston Airport

BOSTON (AP) -- A quick-thinking air traffic controller at Boston's Logan International Airport urgently told a JetBlue flight to "hold" just before it entered a runway where another plane was about to take off.

JetBlue Airways Corp. says Flight 1264 arriving from Austin, Texas on Nov. 24 with 91 passengers landed safely, but while taxiing to the gate the pilot inadvertently took a right instead of turning left.

In audio obtained by WFXT-TV, the air traffic controller can be heard saying "JetBlue hold, JetBlue 1264 hold right there. JetBlue 1264, hold, hold." Ground radar images show the plane stopping just short of the runway where the other plane was speeding to take off.

Matt McCluskey, president of the Boston air traffic controllers union, says the controller is a 32-year veteran who made "a great save."