Near Collision of Two Passenger Jets After Takeoff from LAX
Incident Overview
On Friday, shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), two passenger jets narrowly avoided a collision. The incident involved an ITA Airways plane en route to Rome and an American Airlines flight heading to New York.
Flight Maneuvers
Kevin Ray, a YouTube content creator who streams aviation activities under the channel Airline Videos Live, recorded the moment and noted unusual behavior. He observed the ITA jet making a left turn toward the path of the American Airlines flight. “It immediately made a left-hand turn basically over Dockweiler Beach, which is not something you would see unless it was approved by the air traffic control,” Ray commented.
Air Traffic Control Response
The quick response of air traffic control was crucial in avoiding disaster. An air traffic controller identified the ITA jet’s maneuver and instructed the pilot to correct course while simultaneously directing the American Airlines plane away from potential danger. Following the incident, the controller queried the ITA pilot regarding the left turn, to which the pilot could only respond, “sorry.”
The other controller communicated with the crew of the American flight, expressing regret for the inconvenience caused by the traffic’s unexpected maneuver. In total, the American Airlines flight had 90 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Official Statements
American Airlines later confirmed the near-collision in a statement, thanking air traffic controllers for their intervention. “Shortly after departure, air traffic control directed the crew to take a different route due to the actions of an aircraft belonging to another airline,” said the statement.
Despite inquiries, CBS News has yet to receive a response from ITA Airways. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), currently limited by a government shutdown, could not provide additional information about the incident.
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