Southwest prompts federal probe after flight departs from closed Maine runway

Federal aviation officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that departed from a closed runway at a Maine airport. 

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board told FOX Business that they are looking into the June 25 incident that occurred at Portland International Jetport. 

The FAA also said an airport vehicle exited the runway just before the plane began its takeoff roll around 5:45 a.m. local time.

The NTSB told FOX Business that a preliminary report regarding the incident will be made available in about 30 days. 

That report will contain information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation.

However, a probable cause and any contributing factors won’t be disclosed until the final report is issued in about 12 to 24 months, the NTSB said.

Southwest told FOX Business that it is working with both agencies “to understand the circumstances” of the early morning Southwest departure.

“After departure, the aircraft continued safely to its destination,” Southwest said in a statement. 

The carrier deferred any additional comments to the NTSB. 

This comes at a time when there has been heightened focus on the aviation industry after a spate of runway incursions and near-miss events at airports nationwide.