American Airlines Aborts Takeoff at LAX as Cargo Jet Unexpectedly Crosses Runway
Air Traffic Scare at LAX: American Airlines Incident Averted
Unexpected Runway Encounter at Los Angeles International Airport
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an American Airlines pilot was forced to suddenly halt takeoff when a cargo plane inadvertently crossed its path on Sunday night. The incident involved AeroLogic Flight 619, a joint venture between Lufthansa Cargo and DHL, arriving from Shanghai, China.
Air Traffic Control Mishap Leads to Runway Cross
The Boeing 777 cargo plane had completed its landing and was taxiing between runways at 10:33 p.m. when the incident occurred. Air traffic control instructed the AeroLogic flight to cross runway 25L. However, the pilots mistakenly turned right, entering the path of American Airlines flight 2453, which was ready to depart for Boston.
Audio from LiveATC.net captures the tense exchange, with the air traffic controller urgently instructing, “German Cargo 619, Stop.” The cargo pilot replied, “We are on the runway,” prompting the controller to cancel American 2453’s takeoff clearance.
Federal Aviation Administration’s Analysis
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the cargo plane crossed runway 25R without proper authorization. AeroLogic Executive Administrator Wolfgang Sperber commented, “The flight inadvertently crossed a runway… after landing, without the required ATC instruction. We are investigating the incident in conjunction with the relevant authorities.”
Quick Action Averts Potential Disaster
American Airlines Flight 2453 was traveling at approximately 167 miles per hour and was 1.3 miles from the cargo plane when it aborted the takeoff. The flight tracking site Flightradar24 confirmed these details. “We thank our crew members for their quick action and our customers for their understanding,” said an American Airlines representative.
The American Airlines flight eventually returned to the gate, resulting in a 2.5-hour delay before departing for Boston. Although the reason for the cargo flight’s erroneous right turn is undetermined, communication discrepancies were noted. The air traffic controller referred to the AeroLogic flight as 419 instead of 619, urging a swift runway crossing due to other inbound aircraft.
Investigation and Safety Protocols
- AeroLogic is reviewing the incident and collaborating with authorities.
- Enhanced coordination between crews and air traffic control is being evaluated.
- Procedures and protocols are under scrutiny to prevent future occurrences.
This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to air traffic control instructions to maintain safety at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
