An American Airlines flight 298 narrowly avoided colliding with the Koʻolau mountain range on Hawaii’s Oahu island, thanks to quick instructions from an air traffic controller, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, which had departed from Honolulu en route to Los Angeles, received an urgent command to “increase climb.” A recording by LiveATC captured the air traffic controller saying, “Turn right, accelerate your climb, then turn right,” as the situation unfolded.
Officials noted that the near-miss occurred because the pilot failed to execute a planned turn during takeoff, which brought the plane dangerously close to the rugged terrain.
FAA and Airline Statements
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, attributing it to the aircraft’s deviation from its planned departure maneuver at Honolulu International Airport.
American Airlines stated that its crew requested clearance for a right turn and followed the instructions provided by the air traffic controller. The airline emphasized that “no terrain clearance issues occurred along the aircraft’s flight path.”
Expert Insights and Pilot Response
Aviation experts highlighted that the instruction to speed up the climb was a critical maneuver to ensure terrain avoidance. Timely responses from pilots in such scenarios are vital to preventing potential catastrophes.
While the situation posed a significant risk, the coordinated efforts of the crew and air traffic control averted any harm. Both American Airlines and the FAA have initiated thorough investigations to better understand the event and enhance safety protocols.
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