[REAL ATC] Delta and Southwest VERY CLOSE CALL on takeoff 

"Passengers if you look off to your left you will see Delta 1328 challenging us to a game of chicken"

It's easy to forget these people are human, until you hear one of them go "STOP STOP STOP!"

“Cleared for takeoff, winds 060 at Niner” “Ahh another job well done rick *lays back in chair and glances at radar*.......HOLY F*”

The Southwest asking "were we the ones cleared?" must have sighed a massive sigh of relief when he heard "yeah you were doing what you were supposed to be doin[g]"

ATC: Pay attention, similar callsigns Both Pilots: Ok, WE'LL BE AWARE *1 min later* Both initiate takeoff no questions asked

The animations help alot

That’s a tough call to your boss. “Yeah we had to abort our takeoff because we started to takeoff and shouldn’t have”.

This was borderline funny. They both read back when 3828 got the take off clearance, and they both read back when he yelled at 1328 to stop.

I like how the controller was like HRWEGUHASD28 STOP STOP STOP and neither could tell which one he was referring to so they both stopped.

I'll never complain about delays again on the runway O.o

My cousin was a cargo pilot in Alaska, he was among the youngest and pilots with fewer hours in her company she did a similar mistake and ended up crossing an active runway. She was sure she was about to get fired and her boss told her "Fire you? you just got one of the most valuable lessons in your life that you can't learn in any school"

ATC: "Pay attention, similar callsigns." Also ATC: "I will emphasize more the part of your callsigns that is similar, and mumble away at the Delta/Southwest part which is most dissimilar."

Very nicely done- I love the color coding to help track who is who.

Mistaking the callsign is one thing, but how did he listen to 31C and hear it as 04R is beyond me.

I'd much prefer the atcs have a pool of temporary callsigns they can draw from: southwest 3828 be advised, similar callsign on frequency, you are now known as "snoopy".

Both planes: “We are gonna call company” Their companies: “Good stuff”

I like how that lady controller talks very clearly as opposed to the guy who talks like he's in a auction house.

“STOP STOP STOP!” Thats loud and clear LOL

As a commercial pilot, I have the highest respect for ATC. Saying that, when hundreds of lives are at stake (or for that matter, even one life), it's important to clearly enunciate your words and if that means slowing down just a bit on the radio, then so be it.

That "...and no delay..." instruction really help.... to make... both to do not dare to delay...

That moment when you realise this is not Steam Edition.

This is a perfect example of why you should say DELTA 1-3-2-8, and not DELTA thirteen twentyeight..

They're all professionals and still mumble almost every word as if it was unnecessary to talk clearly. It's quite obvious that a clear communication saves lives in aviation.

Videos been out for 4 years and youtube decides to recommend it to me 4 hours before I'm flying into MDW. Thanks, algorithm.

Eminem: i’m the fastest rapper 2nd air controller: I’m going to end this mans whole career

"Heads up, you guys have similar call signs, so what I'm going to do is continue giving instructions at my usual breakneck speed and also make no special effort to speak very clearly. Good luck."

Aware of similar callsign: CHECK ✅ Also takeoff together when you're not supposed to do it: CHECK ✅

Why I always repeat the company when I have similar sounding callsigns on my frequency. Ex., Southwest 1328, Southwest. It doesn’t stop something like this from happening, but it at least gives some additional emphasis. Nothing breaks your workflow on a sector worse than two aircraft trying to take the same climb/descent clearance on a busy sector and then trying to figure out who the other aircraft was. Particularly when there aren’t any similar sounding callsigns on your frequency.

If someone keeps stepping on transmission, it’s fairly obvious that 2 people think you are talking to them. Cancel all clearances and tell them to listen! Speak very clearly and slowly.

I speak more clearly when I'm ordering food.

40+ years as a professional aviator with 35 of those years in jets at busy airports, and IMO this could happen to anyone. Not an excuse, just a fact.

A link in the chain of events towards this possible accident was broken, no life or aircraft were lost and it is a valuable lesson to both pilots and atc

This could've easily been the KLM and Pan Am crash again

That was an honest mistake. Glad everything worked out. I hate hearing over the radio, other aircrafts with the same numbers as me. It gets even more confusing when people step on each other.

It’s a wonder pilots can understand the tower at the speed they talk !

This is why under ICAO standards ATCs would say “Delta one-tree-two-eight”, but FAA doesn’t care about international standards so that’s ok

As a EMS dispatcher for nearly 20 years, I know how hectic radio traffic can be. Things can get missed, people walk on other people, transmissions get cutoff, ect.... I absolutely can not imagine how busy it is being a ATC, and how crazy radio traffic is at one of largest airports in the country. My hat off to these people! I'm glad they were paying attention and were able to avoid a tragedy.

When they're getting stepped on when receiving takeoff clearance and the controller is talking 100 mph, it would seem like a recipe for a disaster.

"Ok guys, we got similar call signs, line up on ur runways and we'll send the Delta plane first, ok?" "10-4, roger that"

The "no delay" instruction probably caused all pilots not to confirm their takeoff clearance.

When he gives that first takeoff clearance am I the only one who literally can’t hear any callsign at all? Maybe like a “28” at the start but that’s it

When the pilots say they have to "contact company", are they referring to the fact that they need to "call their bosses" and let them know what happened?

"Be advised similar callsign on frequency" *foreshadowing*

I love how at the start it mentions it was due to similar callsigns, and the first thing atc does is advice on similar callsigns.

Dont start talking till AFTER youve actually pushed the button wouldve avoided this.

Absolutely excellent video! Thank you so much VASAviation for making this reminder available to all of us who need it. And to all those non-pilots, keep in mind, we have poor audio, loud noise, high stress, constant time constraints and much more to have to deal with everyday and do the best we can.

"ATC speaks fast to keep things going" Also ATC mumbles callsings and grinds the whole operation to a halt.

Kudos for ATC in calling out the callsign similarity.

That ATC guy missed his calling. He should have been an auctioneer.

If I'm on the runway with a " line up and wait" and any transmission is blocked, I don't move, EVER!

That's what you get when air traffic controllers talk 1000 MPH and just slur everything together like it's a race.

This video has scarred me for life. I used to feel safe when we landed, now it's just constant alert.

These videos are excellent! As a frequent flyer (Diamond with Delta for 2017, platinum past 5 years) I appreciate the skill and expertise of the pilots and ATC. Even in an error or misunderstanding like this a quick response and sharp eye from ATC saved a bunch of lives. Thanks to VASAviation for the excellent videos and the crews of the aircraft and ATC doing a difficult job very well every day!

I can't even begin to explain to you how much the moving map of the situation helped me understand what happened. Thanks so much!

I was doing touch and go's as a solo student @ VNY one day, when I heard a very similar call sign. I was flying N201TH, from what I recall the other aircraft was a also a 1TH. The second I heard that it just seemed like a good idea to enunciate my full call sign very deliberately, and the tower did the same in return until the other craft left the area.

Hey, ATC workers ... Thank you, I know your job is extremely stressful, but we really appreciate what you do!

VASAviation, thank you so much for this informative presentation with great explanatory graphics depicting this incident. It is filled with lessons learned and this is the way the review of this potential mishap/FAA safety board show review it. I find it hard to throw stones at anyone since the take-off clearances were "broken/garbled" and there was "urgency" in the air as another aircraft was on short final. I applaud the professionalism of everyone involved and I am grateful that the information could be disseminated for the benefit of the aviation/air controller community. Ciao, L (pilot)

I can totally understand the confusion between the two callsigns, but "three one centre" sounds nothing like "four right" which should have been a clue

1st controller was speaking slow and clear. 2nd controller was trying to get all of his words out in one breath

I’ve enjoyed 18 years working with controllers in the Chicago area. Hats off to a fine group of people.

If Delta crew had paid attention to the runway assignment 31C for the takeoff clearance, it would have avoided the problem. But we hear what we want to hear...

Proper Controller phraseology "southwest 1328 southwest" Always use company name twice when similar callsigns!

This is exactly why the FAA needs to implement a call sign deconfliction service like in Europe!!!

I Love how the subtitles say " Stop Stop Stop" while in reality ATC Just keeps yelling Stop around 10 times into the Microphone until both airplanes have come to a Stop.

Insane.. Controller said cleared "31C" not "4R"... Delta should have realized such.. Thanks for video!

Great channel. This could have been a huge disaster.

I could understand the mistake with the callsigns, although they were adequately given notice. What I dont understand is, ATC said clear for takeoff RUNWAY 31C. Delta knew they were on 4R. So even if the callsign was somehow goofed, how did you miss the runway you were on??

Most dreaded phrase for a pilot to hear: "Contact company"

I'm so much in awe of airline pilots and air traffic controllers! Just looking at their screens panicks me and I want to run away!!! They really are my heroes and they're always so calm! Kudos to you all!

"Delta 1328, when you have a moment sir I have a phone number for you..." lol.

Both pilots were made aware of the similarities in callsigns and both aknowledged this. Tower c l e a r l y cleared RWY 31C for takeoff, even if you missed the callsign there is no way to understand a clearance for 4R - given all these facts it is more than careless of Delta not asking for a confirmation for takeoff clearance.

Honestly, I don't know if it's me but when I hear these radio communications I barely understand what they are saying half the time. They talk so fast! Without reading the subtitles even I mistook 1328 with 3828 at times.

Take as long as you want bruh, i ain’t complaining bout no delays no more. Better late than never.

They identified an issue right at the beginning and decided to continue to line both aircraft up simultaneously?! The minute delay would have averted this completely.

When teacher solves examples during class: 0:10 What's actually on the test: 1:21

Great ATC response and authority control. The only time pilots can not obey ATC is during a TCAS warning during flight.

For the same reason that the accident of the 747 of KLM and the 747 of PanAm in Los Rodeos occurred in 1977 and the majority of the passengers died, "interference in the communication, the 2 pilots spoke at the same time with the tower, there were Several factors occurred

I see where the controller is at fault here but Delta is at fault too. They had to know damn well they were on 4R and not 31C as the clearance was given. If i heard similar callsigns I'd be monitoring EVERYTHING and asking for confirmation before takeoff

These simultaneous transmissions block each other... Decades after Tenerife. And similar callsigns. What can possibly go wrong?)

I can just imagine how hard the ATC has crapped his pants in that second :D

they all sounded calm & professional. good job everyone 😊

Two similar sounding callsign numbers, a fast talking controller, no wonder why they got confused..

“Delta 1328 go to your room!”

1:36 when the ATC yelled STOP STOP STOP. I swear my heart skipped several beats 😲😐

2nd ATC controller did not give a clear, precise take-off clearance and was speaking too fast. Not entirely on him, but he's part of the cause.

Great illustration! My heart just skipped a beat.

Assuming that we're hearing the tower's complete transmissions (reference the comment by Redtail Media Productions, below, which I happen to agree with), it does sound like the controller begins talking, before his radio is actually transmitting. However, clipped transmissions, or not, in the clearance for SW 3828 the words "RUNWAY 3-1 CENTER" are unmistakably heard twice: first at 1:15; then again at 1:23. Since Delta 1328 was on RUNWAY 4-RIGHT, I believe that he should have caught the words RUNWAY 3-1 CENTER, and realized that the clearance WAS NOT for intended for him. I believe that Delta erroneously took SW's takeoff clearance due to an "expectation bias" -- which is anticipating a clearance, and not really listening to the words of the actual clearance. In any case, with multiple blocked transmissions, all parties involved should have taken no action, until a clearance "in the clear" could be verified and acknowledged. I think that the tower controller believed that he had sufficiently cleared up the ambiguity, even though there were multiple blocked transmissions by both Delta and Southwest, or else he would've & probably should've repeated it, however many times it would have taken to get a clean readback. This looks like the same "anticipation of the clearance" event that caused the terrible Tenerife accident in dense fog, back in '77 between a KLM 747 and Pan Am 747. In this case, the alertness of this tower controller saved them both from disaster.

listening to this type of stuff makes me amazed accidents dont happen multiple times a day everywhere

Really like the animation to go along with the radio traffic!! That was very helpful

Funny how he is unclear and fast with everything else besides stop and 28

I wonder if the controller moonlights as an auctioneer, he was talking a million miles an hour.

A couple points. 1. The quality of these recordings made by people near the field picking up the transmissions with their own radios varies. It doesn't necessarily represent the quality they were hearing on their radios. Could be better, could be worse. That said, 2. clearly tower was aware of the potential for miscommunication. As such they were talking way to fast. "serperder thirder 28, line up and hold."

Female taxi controller was sharp. Male departure controller was dumb as a sack of shit. Similar call signs, opposing runways, talking to fast and clipping his transmissions. The Delta pilot may have misheard call sign for take off due to clipping but there is no way he could have misheard "31C". He messed up big time despite being warned of similar call signs.

Oh Delta, similar callsigns aside, 4R and 31C sound nothing alike. Making the rest of us taking part of profit sharing look bad.

"Runway 31C, cleared for takeoff" There is no way that the Delta flight could have reasonably confused that as clearance for their flight. They are on "4R".

I'm A Pilot, I Rated For Several Corporate-Type Jets and I Once Owned & Piloted An 18 Passenger, Twin Engine Jet. I was already a Civilian Pilot with Instrument And Commercial Ratings when I joined The USAF. I wanted to be a Fighter Pilot like my Dad was during WWII. However, I was found to have Glaucoma. It closed the doors to me being able to follow in my Dad's Footsteps. But it didn't preclude me from joining The Airforce. I chose to be an Air Traffic Controller. There's NO Job more Stressful & Certainly Mistakes are Made. Sometimes Communications Are Garbled!!! When You Have Multiple Runways, Multiple Controllers and Multiple Aircrafts Trying To Get On The Ground and Off The Ground. This Airport Is Especially Dangerous, with Runways That Cross Other Runways Twice. Honestly, I have never flown into An Airport designed this one. A "Tic-Tac-Toe" fan must have designed this Airport! Personally, before I Throttled Up I would have asked ATC to repeat their instructions. I'm a bit surprised that no one from either plane Failed To Ask For Clarification! Listening to this, I didn't understand the Take Off Instructions with Two People Talking On The Same Frequency at The Same Time! My hats off to The Controller that was alert enough to realize that Both Planes Were Rolling And Directed Both Airplanes To Abort Their Take Off Rolls, Rather Than To Direct ONLY The Plane That Was MISTAKENLY Rolling! That Was Likely The Call That Saved The Day! When I Was In The Tower In The Airforce I requested A Change Of "M.O.S."! I told My C-O that My Nerves Couldn't Take ATC Anymore! He Told Me About A New Section Being Formed Called "The Airforce Commandos." It Would Be The Only Actual Ground Combat Troops In Airforce. One Called "Combat Controller," Which Called For Air Traffic Controllers To Be Trained In Special Operations Combat And If I Was Interested, I'd Be Attached To Various Units In Other Branches Of The Service, Primarily The Army, Combat Troops, Special Forces Units, And That I'd Carry A Mechanized Weapon & Be Expected To Use It! My Job Would Be To Plot The Location Where An Air Strike Is Needed, And Call It In! (This Was A Job Once Reserved For Combat Pilots.) I Told My Col. That I'd Rather Dodge Bullets Than To Work In The Control Tower Another Shift! I Had To Work A Few More Shifts, When My Active Duty Enlistment, I Remained In The Reserves For Several More Years And Was Deployed To Panama, The First Gulf War and Other Brief Deployments. But, Air Traffic Controllers Are A Special Breed! I've Heard Them Calmly Talk A Non-Instrument Rated Private Pilot Caught In A Sudden Fog, Safely All Of The Way Down To Touch Down On The Runway! Every Day, They Prevent Mid-Air Collisions! They Are One Of The Main Reasons Why Air Travel Is The Absolute Safest Form Of Transportation On Earth And Amazingly, Many Of Them Aren't Themselves Licensed Pilots!

2 Questions: Why couldn't the controller just talk nice and slow in the first place when addressing one of these 2 planes? Did the Delta guys forgot they were on 4R and not 31C? They obviously didn't listen properly.

They JUST told you to be aware of similar call signs.....very irresponsible of the Delta pilot.

Respect to Ground Control Officer, for awareness And Total respect to all the pilots, for their immediate reaction : if they had asked confirmation, they could have crashed... A big big big LIKE for all the actors of this fabulous exemple of professional aptitude... :-) From Brussels, with Love...

You can hear the terror in the controllers voice. Luckily it all went well