FAA investigates near-collision on Dallas runway

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after an American Airlines jet narrowly missed slamming into a cargo plane that had entered the same runway. It was so close, the American pilot swerved and immediately pulled up to avoid a crash, officials said.

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FAA officials said it appeared the cargo pilot was to blame, but that the investigation was continuing into the Friday night incident at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

By one account, the planes came within about 10 feet of each other. "According to the American pilot, it was within 10 feet," said Mike Mulder, president of the local controllers union.

No one was injured in the near-collision. The American plane, a Fokker 100, which seats about 90 people, went on to Chicago's Midway Airport, where it arrived safely.

Mulder said the American pilot "veered to the right side of the runway" when his lights illuminated the cargo plane and then "pulled up his aircraft" before he reached his intended takeoff speed.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the incident is being called a "pilot deviation," but the investigation is ongoing.

One source familiar with the incident said the cargo plane was instructed by controllers to cross two runways and turn onto a taxiway. The pilot followed those instructions, but turned onto the wrong taxiway that led to the runway where the near-collision.

Mulder said the cargo plane, a twin-engine turbo-prop, went about 700-800 feet down the runway; at the same time, controllers cleared the American plane for takeoff.

FAA spokesman John Clabes, who is with the FAA's southwest regional office, said the cargo pilot "didn't obey instructions and apparently got lost." He said the American pilot "swerved and pulled up" to avoid the cargo plane.