Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) experienced a close‑call on Saturday morning when an Air France Airbus A350 bound for Tahiti made an unauthorized turn that placed it directly in the path of an American Airlines Airbus A321 heading to Dallas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that air traffic controllers quickly intervened, issuing corrective instructions that averted a potential mid‑air incident.
Sequence of events
At approximately 06:30 a.m. local time, Air France Flight 28, an Airbus A350, began its take‑off roll on runway 24R. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft turned southward, contrary to its cleared departure heading. The FAA described the maneuver as an “unauthorized turn.”
Moments later, American Airlines Flight 1660, an Airbus A321, received clearance to depart from the parallel runway 24L. The aircraft was on a straight‑out trajectory when the Air France plane crossed its intended flight path. According to the tracking service Flightradar24, the two aircraft came within roughly 4,000 feet of each other and were less than 1,000 feet apart vertically.
Controller response
Air traffic controllers acted immediately. A recorded transmission captured by ATC.com shows the controller directing the Air France crew: “Air France 028 heavy, fly heading 270 immediately. You were instructed to climb… not turn to a heading.” The controller also apologized to the American pilots, noting the deviation and confirming that the Air France aircraft was on the correct departure route after the correction.
The term “pilot deviation” was used in the FAA statement to describe the unauthorized maneuver. Such deviations can lead to administrative penalties, underscoring the seriousness with which the FAA treats compliance with clearance instructions.
Safety outcome
Both aircraft ultimately separated safely and continued to their scheduled destinations without further incident. No injuries were reported, and no damage occurred to either plane.
Context of recent aviation incidents
This close call follows a series of notable aviation events earlier in 2026. In June, Delta Air Lines pilots aborted a landing at Boston Logan International Airport after an American Airlines flight accelerated for takeoff on an intersecting runway. The same month, a flight‑school Beechcraft 76 Duchess came within 500 feet of a JetBlue passenger jet landing at Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport. In April, a Republic Airways aircraft at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport briefly entered the flight path of a Jazz regional jet on a parallel approach.
Perhaps the most tragic recent incident occurred last year when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet over the Potomac River, resulting in 67 fatalities. These events highlight the importance of strict adherence to air traffic control instructions and the ongoing need for vigilant safety oversight.
FAA statement
The FAA reiterated its commitment to aviation safety, stating that controllers will continue to monitor departures closely and that any deviations will be investigated thoroughly. The agency also reminded pilots of the critical nature of following cleared headings and climb instructions, especially at busy hubs like LAX where multiple runways operate simultaneously.
While the incident did not result in any harm, it serves as a reminder that even minor procedural errors can quickly become dangerous in high‑traffic airspace. Ongoing training and strict compliance with ATC directives remain essential to maintaining the safety record of U.S. air travel.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
