A Denver International Airport electrician drove across an active runway Tuesday afternoon as a United Airlines plane was maneuvering to take off.
Air traffic controllers cleared United flight 111 to take off on runway 17 Right on DIA’s east side when the vehicle appeared at the intersection of taxiway EC and the runway and raced across 17 Right “at a high rate of speed,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The vehicle had cleared the runway before the United plane fully entered 17 Right and turned southbound to start its takeoff roll, FAA added.
DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon said the electrician had a “red-stripe” badge that allowed access to taxiways and runways without an escort, after getting clearance from air traffic controllers in the tower and DIA’s airfield manager.
The employee did not get that clearance before crossing the runway and he has been placed on investigative leave and had his badge “pulled,” Cannon said.
Staff writer Jeffrey Leib can be reached at 303-954-1645 or at jleib@denverpost.com.
