Why It Matters
Two aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport came within 500 vertical feet of one another after an Air France flight turned into the path of an American Airlines departure, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
What Happened
Air France Flight 28 departed LAX shortly before midnight Saturday on a flight to Tahiti. The FAA said the aircraft made an unauthorized turn and entered the path of an American Airlines flight departing from a parallel runway for Dallas-Fort Worth.
Air traffic controllers said the planes were within one mile of each other and instructed the Air France crew to change course immediately. The FAA said, “Air traffic control immediately issued corrective instructions to the Air France flight.”
Controllers also questioned the French pilot about whether the correct instructions had been relayed. The FAA described the Air France aircraft as having “went into the path of another aircraft that departed from a parallel runway.”
Air France and American Airlines had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
By the Numbers
500 vertical feet — minimum separation between the two flights.
One mile — approximate distance reported by air traffic control.
Oct. 6 — date of a runway collision involving two planes at LAX.
Jan. 14, 2020 — date associated with a Delta Flight 89 path report.
Feb. 11, 2023 — date associated with a towed plane and bus collision at LAX.
Zoom Out
The incident follows other reported aviation events connected with LAX, including a runway collision involving two planes on Oct. 6 and an emergency landing by a Southwest flight one month later. The source also identifies prior reports involving Delta Flight 89 and a collision between a towed plane and a bus.
What’s Next
The FAA’s account identifies the air traffic control intervention and the course correction but does not provide further details about an investigation or additional action.