American Airlines A321 Pilots Halt Takeoff at LAX Due to 777 Interference
LOS ANGELES— On September 28, an American Airlines (AA) Airbus A321 had to abort its takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when a Boeing 777 from AeroLogic unexpectedly entered the active runway.
As the American Airlines flight was picking up speed for departure, the crew spotted the Boeing 777 cargo plane moving onto the runway intersection. Thanks to the swift decision-making by the A321 pilots, they managed to brake and prevent a serious runway incursion.
American Airlines Aborts Takeoff
According to reports, AA’s Airbus A321 (Flight 2453) was set to depart for Boston. It was noted that:
The Boeing 777 had been waiting between two runways to taxi to its designated parking space when the American Airlines flight was ready for takeoff. Air traffic control instructed the AeroLogic plane to cross runway 25L, but the pilots inadvertently turned right, leading them directly into the path of the jet.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the AeroLogic aircraft had crossed runway 25R “without proper clearance”.
No injuries occurred during the incident, and the aircraft later returned to the gate for precautionary checks. American Airlines assured that passenger safety remained their top priority throughout.
They praised their crew for executing a controlled halt to the takeoff as trained. The flight 2453 ultimately departed for Boston 2.5 hours later.
AeroLogic has yet to release a detailed statement, but the incident is under scrutiny.
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FAA Investigates Runway Incursion
The FAA has initiated an investigation into this occurrence at LAX. They will assess whether any communication breakdowns or timing issues contributed to the situation.
Runway incursions pose significant safety risks in aviation. The FAA and other governing bodies have enacted advanced systems and protocols aimed at mitigating such incidents.
Nevertheless, human error and the high volume of air traffic can sometimes result in near misses, particularly at prominent airports like Los Angeles. Some may perceive an increase in runway incursions, but reports show:
Despite the heightened awareness and attention in recent years, there hasn’t been a substantial increase in runway incursions or near misses.
Bottom Line
This incident at Los Angeles International Airport highlights how even minor lapses can lead to hazardous situations.
Fortunately, the quick actions of the American Airlines crew ensured that all on board remained safe.
