Was getting dressed, but have the TV on...
United flight on takeoff aborted, taxied back around, and attempted a 2nd takeoff and again aborted their takeoff. After the 2nd abort the United flight requested the trucks to check out the aircraft (presumably hot brakes?) and a smell inside the aircraft.
The responding emergency vehicle had to cross the landing runway in order to get to the United aircraft. I think I heard the TV interview say there was also some light fog/mist at the time. Might not have been thick enough to reduce visibility, but enough that lights start to blur and details are harder to discern?
***My speculation*** The ground controller got caught up in managing the potential emergency with the departing United aircraft (tunnel vision) and did not maintain the necessary situational awareness across their entire area(s) of responsibility.
edit to add... zoomed in o the X pic above. Yeah there is some light fog/mist on the field. It's a miracle the flight attendants sitting in the forward galley space weren't killed as well. I cant see the R1 door. I used a stock CRJ900 photo and there are 14 windows forward of the wing exit. The accident aircraft still shows 14 windows, just barely.
