An investigation was underway as audio emerged of an air traffic controller scolding the pilots of an Air France flight that deviated from its takeoff instruction and came within a mile of another passenger jet after both took off from parallel runways at Los Angeles International Airport.
Around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 an Air France Airbus 350 bound for Tahiti took off at roughly the same time an American Airlines Airbus A321 departed LAX in the same direction, bound for Dallas, authorities said.
According to a recording of conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers, the Air France jet began veering to the left during its ascent, moving toward the flight path of the American Airlines jet.
Air traffic controllers directed the Air France pilots to turn back to the right onto its originally ordered path, while the American Airlines jet was told to reduce its altitude to 2,000 feet to avoid a possible midair collision.
“Air France 028 heavy, fly heading 270 immediately! You were instructed to climb, not turn to a heading. Why did you turn to a heading?” a controller can be heard saying on a liveatc.com recording.
Air traffic control continued to press the pilots for an explanation after the danger was averted.
“I need an answer. What departure were you instructed by tower to fly?” a controller can be heard saying to the pilot.
The Air France pilots eventually conceded they had veered away from their departure path, at which time the controller states the incident was being reported as a “possible pilot deviation” that could potentially lead to disciplinary action for the flight crew.
“Air France confirms that the crew of flight AF028, from Los Angeles to Papeete on 7 November 2026, received a request from air traffic control shortly after take-off to adjust its flight path,” the airline said in a statement to KTLA 5. “The crew immediately followed the instructions before continuing the flight. The aircraft landed normally in Papeete at 5:59 am (local time).”
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