Illustration
Photo: Amnon Trabelsi
Disaster averted at Ben Gurion Airport
Air traffic controller notices Russian plane approaching unauthorized landing strip minutes before touchdown; pilot alerted to error, plane redirected and lands safely
The Ben Gurion International Airport was spared a disaster Tuesday, when a Russian plane about to land on the wrong landing strip was diverted at the last minute.
According to initial details, the Russian plane began its approach one of the landing strips despite air traffic control tower orders directing him to a different one.
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Luckily, an air traffic controller noticed the plane's direction and alerted the pilot that he was heading towards an unauthorized landing strip.
The pilot immediately pulled the plane up, circled the airport and eventually landed on a cleared landing strip.
The Israel Airport Authority launched in inquiry into the incident.
