An Air France airplane narrowly avoided a collision with an American Airlines jet while departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this weekend, prompting a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. According to FlightRadar24 data, the incident occurred around 12:20 am on Saturday, when both planes came within about one nautical mile of each other.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Air France aircraft made an unauthorized turn shortly after takeoff, causing it to enter the path of another plane that took off from the parallel runway.
This incident has caused concerns regarding aircraft separation during departure operations at one of the busiest airports in the United States of America. The FAA confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the scary incident; however, its findings are preliminary.
Air France responded to the LAX departure incident
Air France opened up about the incident and said its crew received a request from air traffic control to adjust the flight path shortly after departure. However, the airline’s statement and the FAA’s preliminary account have raised questions about the sequence of instructions and movements that led to the incident.
The FlightRadar24 data showed that the two aircraft came within about one nautical mile of each other. The available tracking information indicates their proximity. Investigators are examining the exact separation and circumstances.
ABC Los Angeles affiliate KABC also contacted American Airlines for their reaction to the incident, but they chose not to respond in the initial reports. The FAA has not released further details about the airplanes involved, the nature of the unauthorized turn, or whether air traffic controllers needed to take any action.
The investigation will examine the aircraft’s movements and communications between the flight crews and air traffic control to establish how the two almost came into conflict. The incident occurred as authorities continue to examine runway and airspace safety at major US airports, where several aircraft frequently operate on parallel runways and departure routes. Investigations are underway, and more information is expected soon.
