An American Airlines pilot reported nearly colliding with a truck at Charlotte’s airport on Wednesday after two vehicles pulled out in front of it near a gate.
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting the driver after he said he had to “slam on the brakes” while pulling out of an alley at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
“We nearly hit them. I had to slam on the brakes. We had our taxi light on when we started moving. … Someone’s got to be notified right away. That was really bad,” the pilot is heard saying in a recording reviewed by HuffPost.
Video provided by the airport shows Flight 1197 coming to an abrupt halt after attempting to leave a parked position as two trucks cross its path.
Though the plane was on the ground and did not appear to be moving at a high speed, a spokesperson for American stressed that all ground vehicles are required to yield to aircraft at all times, especially since the pilot’s visibility can be limited. They thanked the airport for launching an investigation.
