FAA Probes Near Collision Between Air France And American Jets At LAX
Federal aviation regulators are investigating a near collision between an Air France jet and an American Airlines flight that departed parallel runways at Los Angeles International Airport just after midnight on Saturday, November 7, and reportedly came within a few hundred feet of each other.[1]
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Air France Flight 28 made an unauthorized left turn shortly after takeoff around 12:20 a.m., placing it in the flight path of American Airlines Flight 1660 and forcing controllers to issue urgent course and altitude instructions to keep the jets apart.[1] An aviation expert cited in the coverage estimated the aircraft closed to roughly 400 feet vertically and less than a mile horizontally, a distance the FAA has labeled dangerous and serious enough to merit a formal safety review.[1]
Both widebody jets had departed LAX on standard parallel departures when the situation unfolded, according to tower recordings and FAA statements.[1] Controllers ordered Air France 28 to turn to a 270-degree heading while instructing American 1660 to level off at 2,000 feet after issuing a traffic alert to the American crew, moves that appear to have prevented the planes from converging.[1] Tower audio also captures controllers reminding the Air France pilots they had been cleared to climb using the SUMMR TWO standard instrument departure route, which required them to continue straight ahead rather than turn left.[1]
The FAA has not publicly detailed why the Air France crew deviated from their clearance or whether any mechanical or communication issues played a role, but it has categorized the event as a serious safety incident and said its investigators are taking a closer look at what went wrong over one of the nation's busiest airports.[1] No injuries or damage have been reported, and both flights continued on to their destinations, but the estimated separation has drawn attention because midair conflicts after departure from major hubs are rare and are treated as high-priority events inside the agency.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Incident occurred about 12:20 a.m. on November 7, 2026, shortly after both jets departed LAX on parallel runways.
- FAA says Air France Flight 28 made an unauthorized left turn, putting it into the path of American Airlines Flight 1660.
- Controllers ordered Air France 28 to heading 270 and instructed American 1660 to maintain 2,000 feet after issuing a traffic alert.
- An aviation expert quoted in the article says the jets came within roughly 400 feet and less than one mile of each other.
- Tower audio shows controllers reminding the Air France crew they had been cleared to climb via the SUMMR TWO SID, not to turn.
- FAA has characterized the situation as dangerous and is taking a closer look at the incident as a serious safety event.
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