Southwest Flight 4996 Aborts Takeoff at San Antonio After Runway Incursion by Pilatus PC-12
Incident occurred during takeoff roll; FAA investigation underway
A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Dallas was forced to abort its takeoff at San Antonio International Airport this week after a small turboprop aircraft entered the active runway without clearance, prompting air traffic control to cancel the jet’s takeoff authorization.
The event happened Tuesday afternoon, January 27, 2026, at San Antonio International Airport. Southwest Flight 4996 had begun its takeoff roll when controllers canceled the clearance after another aircraft—a Pilatus PC-12—made a wrong turn and entered the runway assigned to the Southwest flight. The Southwest crew discontinued the takeoff and the aircraft later departed safely for Dallas Love Field.
Airport officials described the separation between the aircraft as about 2,000 feet at the closest point during the event.
What is known about the aircraft movements
Available air traffic communications indicate the runway incursion unfolded quickly, with controllers moving to stop conflicting runway use. In addition to canceling Southwest’s takeoff clearance, controllers also instructed an arriving regional flight to discontinue its approach, underscoring the cascading operational impacts that can follow a runway conflict even when no collision occurs.
Runway incursions—events involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on a runway—are treated as high-consequence hazards in aviation because the runway environment compresses time and distance for flight crews and controllers. The Southwest jet’s rejected takeoff, initiated while accelerating, is a standard safety response when a takeoff path is no longer assured to be clear.
Airport operations context during early 2026
The incident comes as San Antonio International is operating with reduced runway flexibility due to a planned closure of one of its primary runways for repairs and safety upgrades. The runway closure window—January 12 through March 6, 2026—concentrates activity onto remaining runway capacity and can increase reliance on precise surface movement routing, taxi instructions, and controller coordination, particularly during peak periods.
Investigation and next steps
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation. Such investigations typically review controller instructions, aircraft taxi routing, signage and markings, airport geometry, pilot readbacks, and recorded ground and tower communications to determine how the Pilatus PC-12 came to be on the active runway and whether procedural or infrastructure changes are warranted.
No injuries were reported. The incident did not result in a collision, but it triggered an immediate operational response and renewed attention on runway safety at one of Texas’ busiest commercial airports.
Date and location: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, San Antonio International Airport.
Aircraft involved: Southwest Flight 4996 (San Antonio–Dallas Love Field) and a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop.
Outcome: Takeoff clearance canceled; Southwest rejected takeoff; flights continued after a delay; no injuries reported.
Status: FAA investigation ongoing.