Washington (CNN) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a regional jet was forced to abort its landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and circle the airport when pilots spotted an airport vehicle on the runway.

American Airlines Flight 4528, operated by Republic Airways, was arriving from Detroit around 7 a.m. Monday when the pilot noticed the potential hazard.

“Tower, is there a vehicle on (runway) 33?” the pilot asked the air traffic controller according to audio archived by the website LiveATC.net .

“Affirmative. Go around,” the controller responded.

Less than 12 seconds later, the vehicle was off the runway, but the plane had already started circling the airport. It landed safely about 15 minutes later.

The go-around was ordered “because main

See Full Page