Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 10
Air France Jet Veers Within 400 Feet of American Flight After Unauthorized LAX Turn
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 10

Air France Jet Veers Within 400 Feet of American Flight After Unauthorized LAX Turn

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 10

Summary

  • Nov. 7 at about 12:20 a.m., Air France Flight 28 crossed into the path of American Airlines Flight 1660 after takeoff from parallel LAX runways, closing to about 400 feet and less than a mile.
  • FAA said the Air France crew made a turn it had not been cleared to make instead of following its assigned SID, prompting controllers to order an immediate 270-degree heading and warn the American jet to maintain 2,000 feet.
  • Air traffic control audio captured controllers questioning the Air France crew after the conflict; the pilots later said they had been assigned the SUMMR TWO departure and were told to resume the route.
  • FAA said controllers issued corrective instructions as soon as the Air France aircraft entered the other jet's path, and aviation expert Steven Arroyo said the agency will likely scrutinize the incident despite such events remaining rare.

Insights

Why did an experienced flight crew suddenly veer off course in the dark skies over LAX, nearly causing a catastrophic mid-air collision?
Could hidden cockpit fatigue or confusing flight charts be the real culprit behind this terrifying 400-foot near-miss at LAX?
With a tragic history of runway disasters, what hidden vulnerabilities at LAX continue to put thousands of passengers at risk today?