Air traffic controller blamed for near-hit

GULFPORT, Miss., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Officials said a tower air traffic controller error was the likely cause of a near mid-air collision over a Mississippi airport last year.

On June 19, the air traffic controller cleared a small private plane and a commercial jetliner for takeoff at the same time on separate runways at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.

The runways, however, have intersecting flight paths.

While about 300 feet in the air, the planes crossed paths, with their closest proximity estimated to be 0 feet vertically and 300 feet laterally.

The private plane, a Cessna 172, was carrying two passengers, while the jetliner, an Embraer 145, was carrying 50 passengers and 3 crew members and was bound for Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport

In the NTSB report, the air traffic controller's supervisor said that, in his opinion, "the incident occurred because [the controller] was not paying attention."

CNN reported the air traffic controller, Robert Beck, worked as "controller in charge" and as an on-the-job training instructor for other controllers before the incident. Afterward, he was suspended and decertified.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the agency made "management changes" at the tower after the incident.

"The FAA is committed to running the safest air transportation system in the world," spokeswoman Brie Sachse said in a statement.