Two passenger jets narrowly avoided a potentially catastrophic midair collision shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport early Saturday, after one aircraft made an unauthorized turn into the other’s flight path.
An Air France Airbus bound for Papeete, Tahiti, reportedly came within just 400ft vertically of an American Airlines Airbus headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Air traffic control asked the Air France pilots multiple times why they made the turn and then told them “I have a number for you to call.”
The close call unfolded as Air France Flight 28 departed from one of LAX’s runways while American Airlines Flight took off from a nearby runway.
Both aircraft were climbing when the Air France jet veered left from its assigned departure route, putting it on a potentially dangerous course toward the American Airlines plane.
The two aircraft, which likely carried about 500 passengers together, continued to their destinations without any reported injuries.
Air traffic controllers quickly recognized the danger and issued urgent instructions to the pilots to prevent the planes from getting any closer.
“Air France 028 heavy, fly heading of 270 immediately,” a controller instructed the French aircraft, according to ATC audio.
The controller then warned the American Airlines pilots of the approaching jet. “Traffic alert, traffic 12 o’clock, less than a mile, maintain 2,000,” the controller said in the ATC audio.
The American Airlines crew acknowledged the warning and complied with the altitude restriction.
After the immediate danger had passed, the controller repeatedly questioned the Air France pilots about why they had deviated from their assigned route.
“You were instructed to climb via SID, not turn to a heading,” the controller said, referring to a Standard Instrument Departure, a published flight route designed to guide aircraft safely away from airports.
“Why did you turn to a heading?” the controller asked.
The Air France crew initially requested more time to respond as the controller continued seeking clarification about the departure instructions.
“What departure were you instructed to fly?” the controller asked.
The pilots eventually confirmed they had been assigned the SUMMR TWO departure procedure, which establishes a specific route for aircraft leaving LAX.
“We were instructed to fly SUMMR TWO departure,” a pilot responded.
The controller then informed the crew that the incident could be treated as a possible pilot deviation, a term used when a pilot fails to comply with an air traffic control clearance or instruction.
“Possible pilot deviation. I have a number for you to call when you’re ready,” the controller said.
The request typically means air traffic control wants the pilots to contact aviation authorities to discuss what happened. It does not necessarily mean the crew will face disciplinary action.
The controller also apologized to the American Airlines pilots for the frightening encounter.
“Sorry about that. That aircraft just turned in front of you,” the controller said, explaining that the other crew had apparently deviated from its assigned departure instructions.
“Great job, thank you,” the controller added after the American Airlines pilots followed the directions.
“No problem,” a pilot responded.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to investigate possible pilot deviations to determine whether a crew failed to follow instructions and whether further action is warranted.
It was not immediately clear what caused the Air France crew to turn off course or whether the FAA had opened an investigation into the incident.
The California Post reached out to the FAA about this incident, but did not immediately hear back.
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