Introducing the Incident

In a heart-stopping incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a close call involving a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The event unfolded on Friday when the Key Lime Air-operated jet was about to cross a runway just as a Delta Airlines flight was taking off, prompting air traffic controllers to issue an urgent stop order.

The Details

According to the FAA, the aircraft was directed to hold short of the runway. Just as the Embraer E135 jet began to inadvertently move toward the runway, controllers yelled, 'stop, stop, stop!' Fortunately, the pilots quickly complied, preventing what could have been a catastrophic collision. Disturbingly, a live stream from the incident captured the dramatic exchange, providing viewers a front-row seat to the high-stakes moment. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the jet never actually crossed the boundary line of the runway.

Implications for Gonzaga Basketball

The Gonzaga Bulldogs were in the City of Angels for a prestigious matchup against the UCLA Bruins the following day, where they fell short, losing 65-62—marking the first college basketball game played at the brand-new Intuit Dome, the home arena of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.

University Statement

In a statement regarding the incident, Gonzaga University expressed relief at the outcome. 'We understand that the incident at LAX is under investigation and we will review this information as it becomes available,' the university stated. 'Our team members aboard the aircraft were unaware of the situation as it occurred and we are grateful that the incident ended safely for all.'

Reactions from Airlines

As the situation unfolded, Key Lime Air had yet to comment on the incident, while Delta Airlines indicated their flight operated as scheduled without any reported issues stemming from the situation. A representative noted that they are cooperating with the ongoing FAA investigation.

Team's Resilience

Despite the stressful encounter, the team was able to claim victory in their West Coast Conference opener on Monday night, defeating Pepperdine 89-82 in Malibu, with standout performances from players like Khalif Battle, who scored a team-high of 21 points. While now basking in the glow of their victory, some players seemed eager to put the previous incident behind them.

Coach's Reflection

Gonzaga's head coach, Mark Few, reflected on the importance of the win, emphasizing the team’s resilience and capability to perform under pressure. 'I told 'em after the game, that was mission accomplished,' Few said.

Looking Ahead

As the team prepares for its next game against Portland on Thursday, fans and the sporting community are undoubtedly relieved that both the team and flight crew emerged unscathed from what could have been a disastrous event. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on their season and the results of the FAA investigation!

Final Thoughts

With this near-miss, LAX reminds us all of the critical importance of air traffic safety, especially in busy airports where the stakes are high.