Boeing 737-7H4 and Embraer EMB-145LR incident near Cleveland, Ohio, June 3, 2009
On June 3, 2009 at about 7:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Boeing 737-7H4 (N299WN) and Embraer EMB-145LR (N16963), were involved in the same incident near Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Hopkins Intl Airport). No one was hurt; 163 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The ground controller did not issue taxi instructions in accordance with FAA Order 7110.65, paragraph 3-7-2. The local controller did not scan the runways prior to issuing a taxi into position and hold instruction to SWA1080 as required by FAA Order 7110.65 paragraph 3-1-12. The local controller did not cancel takeoff clearance for BTA2941 as required by FAA Order 7110.65, paragraph 3-9-10.
The ground controller did not issue taxi instructions in accordance with FAA Order 7110.65, paragraph 3-7-2. The local controller did not scan the runways prior to issuing a taxi into position and hold instruction to SWA1080 as required by FAA Order 7110.65 paragraph 3-1-12. The local controller did not cancel takeoff clearance for BTA2941 as required by FAA Order 7110.65, paragraph 3-9-10.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2009 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Ohio · Cleveland Hopkins Intl Airport · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 163 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Boeing 737-7H4 · all 737-7H4s on the register
- Registration
- N299WN · registry record · serial 36614
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
- Aircraft 2
- Embraer EMB-145LR · all EMB-145LRs on the register
- Registration
- N16963 · no longer on the register · serial 145116
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing 737-7H4 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 3:15 p.m., a runway incursion occurred at CLE when SWA1080 was directed to taxi into position and hold on runway 6L prior to the departure of BTA2491 that had been previously cleared for takeoff from the same runway. BTA2491 queried the ATCT with “Hey tower, I thought we were cleared to go”. The ATCS immediately directed SWA1080 to hold short of runway 6R and corrected the location to runway 6L followed by directions to BTA2491 to hold present position. According to the airport movement and surveillance system (AMASS) playback, both aircraft had entered runway 6L, BTA2491 at the approach end and SWA1080 at the intersection of taxiway T and runway 6L. Taxiway T intersected runway 6L 1,475 feet from the approach end of runway 6L. CLE was in a north flow configuration, departing runway 6L, arriving runway 6R. Reported weather at CLE at 2:51 p.m. EDT/1851 UTC was: wind 350 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 6 statute miles in light rain showers. Few clouds at 1,200 feet, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, overcast at 8500 feet. The temperature was 14 degrees Celsius, dew point 12 degrees Celsius. The altimeter was 30.11 inches of mercury. Air traffic control tower (ATCT) staffing included 1 front line manager (FLM) on position with a developmental, local control (LC) 1 and 2 combined with a developmental, Ground Control (GC) 1 and 2 combined, and flight data (FD)/clearance delivery (CD) combined on position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Embraer EMB-145LR final · quoted from the NTSB record
On Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 3:15 p.m., a runway incursion occurred at CLE when SWA1080 was directed to taxi into position and hold on runway 6L prior to the departure of BTA2491 that had been previously cleared for takeoff from the same runway. BTA2491 queried the ATCT with “Hey tower, I thought we were cleared to go”. The ATCS immediately directed SWA1080 to hold short of runway 6R and corrected the location to runway 6L followed by directions to BTA2491 to hold present position. According to the airport movement and surveillance system (AMASS) playback, both aircraft had entered runway 6L, BTA2491 at the approach end and SWA1080 at the intersection of taxiway T and runway 6L. Taxiway T intersected runway 6L 1,475 feet from the approach end of runway 6L. CLE was in a north flow configuration, departing runway 6L, arriving runway 6R. Reported weather at CLE at 2:51 p.m. EDT/1851 UTC was: wind 350 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 6 statute miles in light rain showers. Few clouds at 1,200 feet, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, overcast at 8500 feet. The temperature was 14 degrees Celsius, dew point 12 degrees Celsius. The altimeter was 30.11 inches of mercury. Air traffic control tower (ATCT) staffing included 1 front line manager (FLM) on position with a developmental, local control (LC) 1 and 2 combined with a developmental, Ground Control (GC) 1 and 2 combined, and flight data (FD)/clearance delivery (CD) combined on position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Boeing 737-7H4 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Runway incursion veh/AC/person during initial climb
- Runway incursion veh/AC/person during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › ATC personnel
The aircraft
- Seats: 140
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLE Cleveland OH
- Destination: MDW Chicago IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 06L, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KCLE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 3 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 111 |
The factual record for the Embraer EMB-145LR from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Runway incursion veh/AC/person during taxi (into takeoff position)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › ATC personnel
The aircraft
- Seats: 55
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Allison AE3007C SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Allison AE3007C SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLE Cleveland OH
- Destination: ORD Chicago IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 06L, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 44 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.