In aviation, we see a high number of close calls — for every disaster, there are a countless number of near misses. We’re also aware of these more than in the past, given the increasing popularity of flight tracking software, plus the public’s interest in aviation incidents.
Along those lines, a few days ago I covered how two aircraft had a terrifyingly close call in Mexico. I want to cover this once again, as we now have the partial air traffic control audio of the incident, and it gives us a (slightly) better sense of what happened…
In this post:
Aeromexico jet lands as Delta jet attempts to take off
This incident happened early on the morning of Monday, July 21, 2025, at Mexico City International Airport Benito Juarez (MEX), and involves two aircraft:
- A Delta Boeing 737-800 with the registration code N3766, operating flight DL590 to Atlanta (ATL)
- An Aeromexico Connect Embraer E190 with the registration code XA-ALP, operating flight AM1631 from Aguascalientes (AGU)
Air traffic controllers cleared the Aeromexico jet to land on runway 5R, while at the same time, clearing the Delta jet to line up on the runway and hold, and then to commence its takeoff roll. It’s normal for the same runway to be used for takeoffs and landings, but not at exactly the same time.
Runway 5R is really long — it’s 12,800 feet (3,900 meters), due largely to Mexico City’s high altitude. One important thing to understand is that there’s a displaced threshold on the runway, meaning that planes can only land around 1,700 feet (520 meters) beyond the point where they can take off. Thank goodness the runway has that, or else this ending could’ve been even scarier.
What happened here is that the Aeromexico aircraft overflew the Delta aircraft that was on the runway, and then still landed, even though there was another plane occupying the runway. Fortunately the Delta aircraft rejected its takeoff at around 60 knots, preventing a catastrophe. The Delta flight ended up returning to the gate, and then departing again around two hours later.
Below is an excellent VASAviation video about what happened, which provides a visualization of the movement of the planes, plus partial air traffic control audio. Note that we unfortunately only know what the pilots communicated, and not the instructions the air traffic controllers gave.
How could an incident like this happen?
While we see a lot of close calls, I’d say this is among the worst we’ve seen in quite some time. After all, on a runway, there’s only one direction to go (I mean, technically a runway has two directions, but planes can’t make an instant 180 degree turn while flying, so…).
It’s a bit different than when you have a plane crossing a runway without authorization, or a close call in the air, where it’s still unlikely that the planes would actually collide. On a runway, though, there’s a lot less ability to avoid disaster.
Obviously something like this raises several questions. For one, how could the air traffic controllers clear an aircraft to land and depart from the same runway at the same time? Was it a brain fart? Was there some other miscommunication?
For that matter, did the Aeromexico pilots not see the Delta jet lined up on the runway they were landing on? I suppose one theory there is that the displaced threshold might complicate that, especially when pilots might be focused on where they plan to land. Furthermore, this runway faces the east, and it was early in the morning, so it’s possible the pilots had the sun in their eyes, limiting visibility.
From listening to the air traffic control audio, a few things stand out:
- The Aeromexico pilot communicated with air traffic controllers in Spanish, which isn’t exactly ideal in terms of non-Spanish speaking pilots having a good frame of reference for what’s going on
- The Aeromexico pilot didn’t read back the runway assignment with multiple transmissions, which again, isn’t ideal in terms of avoiding dangerous situations
- It appears that the Delta pilots proactively aborted their takeoff, realizing what was going on; kudos to them for their swift action
Bottom line
A Delta Boeing 737 and Aeromexico Embraer E190 had a scary incident at Mexico City Airport, whereby one plane was cleared to land and the other plane was cleared to take off from the same runway at the same time.
This appears to be a major mistake by air traffic control, though one also wonders why the Aeromexico plane landed on the runway when it should’ve seen a Delta plane on the same runway. Was it because of the displaced threshold and sunrise, or something else? Thank goodness the Delta pilots aborted their takeoff roll in time.
What do you make of this Mexico City Airport close call?
boy this is old news, if youre gonna bash mexico at least do it while it's still fresh news.
Yes, this happened several days ago, but Ben made it abundantly clear in the second paragraph he was making a new post due to finding new information. As of right now, I don’t see any bashing of Mexico in the article (or perhaps surprisingly, in the comments, at least as of yet). Stating “this appears to be a major mistake by ATC” is a fair and balanced take based on the facts as we currently...
Yes, this happened several days ago, but Ben made it abundantly clear in the second paragraph he was making a new post due to finding new information. As of right now, I don’t see any bashing of Mexico in the article (or perhaps surprisingly, in the comments, at least as of yet). Stating “this appears to be a major mistake by ATC” is a fair and balanced take based on the facts as we currently know them. Stating “all Mexican ATC controllers are obviously incompetent” would be a patently false, unfair and unbalanced take, but that’s not what is posted. I’d politely suggest you save your claims of racism for the obvious examples of it that frequently permeate the comment section. Until then, I respectfully suggest you quiet your quiche.
"...quiet your quiche."
Thank you. Another saying I'm going to steal and liberally use. :)
I did that just for you, in fact. ;)
Admittedly, I'm a well off white guy living in an affluent suburb of D.C., however, I don't read this as bashing any country, just pointing out the individuals who may be at fault. This one happened in Mexico. Other close calls have occurred elsewhere, including the U.S.. Ben's reporting on this is similar to his reporting on the others.
what does the color of your skin have to do with anything related to this article?
French is widely used in French ATC as is Spanish in Spain but countries like Germany and the Netherlands use English, at least for official communications and responses. I have heard pilots and ATC banter in the local language when listening to Dutch ATC but will then switch to English for clearances.
Only a matter of time before a close call becomes an accident. Curious, why did the Delta plane have to sit for an hour then return to the gate? The only thing I can think of is to check the brakes after an emergency stop.
@ DavidW -- Could be brakes, and/or could just be that pilots needed a second to cool off, given how anxiety inducing that close call must have been.
If they got anxious and needed an hour to "cool off" while on duty, then that's not a job for them.
Jesus, wholly disagree. The “man up and get back to work” era is rightfully ending. Suppose the DL pilots repositioned immediately back to the end of the runway and took off, only for the aircraft to suffer a an engine compressor stall on climb out. It’s something all pilots train for and has a clear course of action/checklist, but already being amped up on adrenaline from the close call could enhance the possibility of mistakes...
Jesus, wholly disagree. The “man up and get back to work” era is rightfully ending. Suppose the DL pilots repositioned immediately back to the end of the runway and took off, only for the aircraft to suffer a an engine compressor stall on climb out. It’s something all pilots train for and has a clear course of action/checklist, but already being amped up on adrenaline from the close call could enhance the possibility of mistakes and (again, could) result in a disaster.
It doesn’t appear the DL aircraft would have entered the high speed regime yet, so brake cooling would be less of a concern. Not saying no concern, just less. What would be important is getting their statements on the record while the incident was fresh in their minds.
Probably to clean his pants.
ATC communications worldwide are supposed to be done in one language which is English.
Communications at MEX should not be in Spanish.
This isn't strictly true. Comms are allowed to be done in local languages as well.
"English shall be available at all aerodromes open to international air traffic and used upon request between aircraft and air traffic control."
— ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, 5.2.1.2.1
Not saying it wouldn't help, but your statement isn't strictly true.
Thast is not enterily true. Throughout Latin America (Spanish-speaking countries, except Brazil, for example), communications from airlines in Spanish-speaking countries are in Spanish.
There are more cases, like Russia, where national airlines' communications are in Russian. I don't know of any other specific cases, but there are certainly more.
But the regulation states that they must be able to be in English (but this is so that foreign crews have the ability to...
Thast is not enterily true. Throughout Latin America (Spanish-speaking countries, except Brazil, for example), communications from airlines in Spanish-speaking countries are in Spanish.
There are more cases, like Russia, where national airlines' communications are in Russian. I don't know of any other specific cases, but there are certainly more.
But the regulation states that they must be able to be in English (but this is so that foreign crews have the ability to operate, not that all countries must only speak English).
As a curious fact, with the opening of USSR airspace to international traffic there around 1970, the biggest difficulty was that many ATCs in remote areas of Siberia didn't know English because there was never a need to work with foreign airlines).
Not really correct, Tim. Although English must be available at commercial airports and ATC centers serving the “public”, it is not required for ATC communications to be done in English.
In Central and South America the vast majority of countries have Spanish as a primary or official language. By population, South America in particular is almost evenly split between Portuguese (mostly Brazil) and Spanish. One could even argue that having most communications at MEX in...
Not really correct, Tim. Although English must be available at commercial airports and ATC centers serving the “public”, it is not required for ATC communications to be done in English.
In Central and South America the vast majority of countries have Spanish as a primary or official language. By population, South America in particular is almost evenly split between Portuguese (mostly Brazil) and Spanish. One could even argue that having most communications at MEX in Spanish, where flights from English- (or non-Spanish-speaking) countries are in fact a minority, would generally enhance safety.
For example, “Line up and wait” versus “position and hold” as an instruction was only standardized in 2010. The landscape of aviation language continues to evolve, and perhaps this near miss will result in further changes - we can only hope.
Yes, use of the local language happens regularly between ATC and aircraft and between aircraft.
but clearances when foreign carriers are presented should be done in English; a takeoff clearance when a foreign aircraft should be given in English and the pilots' responses should be done in English.
“Should” based on your opinion, not based on regulation.
given the current aviation spat between the US and Mexico, you would think that Mexico would do well to follow common sense and best practice. It's not like the US hasn't criticized Mexico for safety, something I don't think has happened w/ European countries
given the current aviation spat between Tim Dunn and rest of the world, you would think that Tim Dunn would do well to follow common sense and best practice.
"you would think that Mexico would do well to follow common sense and best practice."
"common sense" would be realizing that since the dawn of air traffic communications, most countries have employed their most commonly used language for the majority of communications, with English only being available as required. That's not new.
You're really confusing your opinion with fact, here.