Southwest Flight Aborts Taxiway Takeoff at Orlando Airport After Crew Error

An air traffic controller intervened to prevent a potentially dangerous incident as the FAA and NTSB launch investigations.

Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 mistakenly began its takeoff roll on a taxiway at Orlando International Airport on March 20, 2025.
An air traffic controller canceled the takeoff clearance, preventing any harm to passengers or crew.
The flight crew misidentified the taxiway as the runway, according to a Southwest Airlines statement.
No injuries were reported, and passengers were rebooked on another flight to Albany, New York.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating this incident, which adds to a series of recent aviation safety concerns in the United States.