San Francisco, CA – An Aeromexico flight was stopped mid-takeoff roll after initiating its takeoff without explicit clearance from air traffic control at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The incident, which occurred on February 11, 2026, involved Aeromexico flight AMX623 from SFO to Guadalajara, Mexico. Air traffic controllers intervened to prevent a potential conflict with a landing aircraft.
The Aeromexico Boeing 737-800, registered XA-AMC, had been instructed by the tower controller to line up and wait on runway 10 right. Subsequently, the controller provided departure instructions and ordered the flight crew to hold their position. However, for reasons yet to be fully determined, the aircraft began its takeoff acceleration instead of waiting. This deviation from protocol was quickly noticed by the controller, who then issued an immediate instruction for the flight to stop.
Simultaneously, another aircraft was on its final approach to runway 19 left. The controller’s swift action in halting Aeromexico’s takeoff was crucial in averting a dangerous situation. The flight tracking data indicated that Aeromexico 623 rejected the takeoff at approximately 49 knots, significantly before reaching a critical speed.
Details of the incident, including the specific miscommunication or error that led to the premature takeoff attempt, are under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the event. This incident is part of a broader pattern of close calls and operational anomalies at SFO that have drawn the attention of aviation safety authorities in recent years.
While the investigation is ongoing, this event underscores the critical role of air traffic control in maintaining safety at busy airports like SFO. The quick response from the SFO tower controller prevented a serious incident, highlighting the constant vigilance required to manage complex air traffic operations and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.
