Kelly Eger
Boston ATCT
Sarah LaPorte Ostrander
Boston ATCT
14
On September 15, 2014, Boston ATCT air traffic
controller Kelly Eger was working the local west
position and Sarah LaPorte Ostrander was training
someone on ground control. The airport was beginning
to back up with traffic because of the evening rush, so
the controllers were working quickly and efficiently.
JetBlue 405 was not going to make the departure
sequencing time, so a new one was coordinated.
Because of this, the JetBlue aircraft had to be taken
out of the sequence of aircraft awaiting takeoff. Eger
decided to move the aircraft across runway 22R at
runway 15L. She told the pilot to turn onto runway 15L
and hold short of runway 22R.
Eger: JetBlue 405, Boston Tower, turn right on runway
1-5 left and hold short of runway 2-2 Right.
JBU405: Turn right on 1-5 Left, we'll hold short of
runway 2-2 Right, JetBlue 405.
Eger: JetBlue 405, you have a release time of 4-8.
The pilot responded correctly, so she continued and
cleared a United flight for takeoff. The United flight
began its initial takeoff roll and was moving swiftly
down the runway when Ostrander observed the
JetBlue aircraft not stopping, putting it on a direct
collision course with the United flight. With United
picking up considerable speed due to takeoff, the
