Two passenger aircraft narrowly avoided a midair collision over Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after an Air France pilot allegedly made an unauthorised turn during departure, aviation authorities have confirmed.
The incident, which involved an Air France flight bound for Papeete and an American Airlines aircraft, occurred at approximately 12.20am on November 7.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Air France aircraft entered the flight path of another plane departing from a parallel runway, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Air France Aircraft Deviated From Its Departure Route
The FAA confirmed that Air France Flight 28 departed from LAX before moving into the path of the American Airlines aircraft.
The European airline’s pilot reportedly made an unauthorised turn while the two planes were taking off from the airport.
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft came within approximately one nautical mile of each other.
The two flights were believed to have been carrying a combined total of around 500 passengers.
The potential collision was avoided after air traffic controllers quickly intervened and issued corrective instructions to the Air France crew.
Air Traffic Controller Issues Urgent Warning
Audio recordings of the communication between the pilots and air traffic control revealed how officials responded to the developing situation.
A controller urgently instructed the Air France aircraft to change its heading while warning the crew about the approaching plane.
“Air France 028 heavy, fly heading of 270 immediately.
Traffic alert, traffic 12 o’clock, less than a mile, maintain 2,000,” the controller said.
The recording also captured a pilot responding to a question about the aircraft’s flight procedure with the words: “Give me a minute.”
The controller subsequently questioned why the Air France aircraft had turned away from its assigned departure route.
Controller Questions Pilot Over Unexpected Manoeuvre
During the exchange, the air traffic controller reminded the Air France crew that they had been instructed to follow a Standard Instrument Departure Route (SID) rather than make an independent turn.
“Air France 028 Heavy, you were instructed to climb via SID, not turn a heading,” the controller said.
A Standard Instrument Departure Route is a predetermined flight path programmed into an aircraft’s navigation system to guide it during departure, either manually or through autopilot.
In response, a pilot maintained that the crew had been instructed to follow a different departure procedure.
“We were instructed to fly SUMMR TWO departure,” another pilot was heard saying.
The controller later informed the Air France crew that the incident could be treated as a possible pilot deviation and asked them to contact authorities.
“Possible pilot deviation. I have a number for you to call when you’re ready,” the controller said.
American Airlines Crew Also Informed About Near Collision
After the situation had been brought under control, the air traffic controller contacted the American Airlines pilots to explain what had happened.
“Sorry about that. That aircraft just turned in front of you,” the controller told the crew.
The FAA confirmed that air traffic control’s immediate corrective instructions prevented the two aircraft from colliding.
“Air traffic control immediately issued corrective instructions to the Air France flight,” officials said.
Air France Flight Lands Safely
Despite the close call during departure, the Air France aircraft continued its journey to Papeete.
An airline spokesperson confirmed to KTLA that the flight landed safely at its destination at 5.59am.
The incident is expected to be examined by the relevant aviation authorities following the reported deviation from the aircraft’s assigned departure procedure.
