SAN DIEGO -- A Southwest Airlines flight taking off from Lindbergh Field had a close encounter with a corporate jet that was apparently stuck at the end of the runway, 10News reported.

The incident occurred on Jan. 16.

According to a union representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in San Diego, the Southwest flight was given permission to take off from Lindbergh Field even though a Hawker 900S jet was stuck at the end of Runway 27.

The rep said the Southwest pilot was told to abort takeoff, but the pilot said it was too late and had to take off.

The Lindbergh tower was understaffed, the rep added.

FAA official Ian Gregor told 10News the controller had cleared the Southwest plane to take off after the Hawker jet began a turn off the runway.

Gregor said the Hawker suddenly stopped due to a possible mechanical problem, and the tail of the aircraft was on the runway path.

Southwest lifted off about 3,000 feet away from the Hawker, so there was never any collision risk whatsoever, Gregor told 10News.

According to Gregor, the incident was logged at Lindbergh field and reported to FAA safety offices. The issue is currently being reviewed in Washington, D.C.

"I'm surprised the NATCA's leadership is accusing on of its own controllers of committing an error while the FAA's safety office has yet to make any determination or ascribe any blame in this incident," said Gregor.

Lindbergh's tower is properly staffed, according to Gregor.

A representative from Southwest Airlines told 10News:

"Southwest Airlines Flight #1626 on Jan. 16, 2008, from San Diego to Las Vegas was cleared for takeoff at approximately 6:53 p.m. During takeoff, our Captain was notified that another aircraft had not fully cleared the runway. At the point that our Captain received the notification, it was too late to abort takeoff. Our Flight Crew followed protocol, and fortunately the flight departed without incident."