Southwest flight attempts to take off through Florida taxiway instead of runway

A Southwest Airlines flight on Thursday attempted to take off from a taxiway in Florida instead of a runway, after the crew misidentified the surface, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.

The (FAA) said the incident occurred at the Orlando International Airport at 9:30 a.m. local time, as the plane attempted to depart for Albany, New York. No injuries have been reported, according to NBC News. 

The crew had mistaken the surface for the runway, which was nearby. But taxiways are used for transporting planes from gates and hangars to the runway, and are not designed for takeoffs.

"An air traffic controller at Orlando International Airport canceled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 ... after the aircraft began its takeoff roll on a taxiway," the FAA said in a statement. "The taxiway runs parallel to the runway ... No other aircraft were involved. The FAA is investigating."

The airline said that all passengers were put on a different plane with a new crew. 

The incident is just the latest mishap for the air travel industry. An American Airlines flight fatally collided with a military helicopter earlier this year, killing all 67 people aboard both vessels. Several other smaller incidents have occurred since.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.