Los Angeles, November 12, 2025
A near-collision occurred at Los Angeles International Airport when an ITA Airways Airbus A330-900 and an American Airlines Airbus A321 came within a mile of each other shortly after takeoff. The incident took place when the ITA flight made an unexpected left turn, prompting air traffic controllers to intervene quickly to avert disaster. This event highlights ongoing concerns about air traffic control amidst staffing shortages due to a government shutdown.
Los Angeles, CA – Near-Collision Averted Between ITA Airways and American Airlines Flights at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) narrowly avoided a mid-air collision on October 31, 2025, when an ITA Airways Airbus A330-900 and an American Airlines Airbus A321 came within approximately one mile of each other shortly after takeoff.
Incident Details
At approximately 4:00 p.m. local time, both aircraft departed from parallel runways at LAX. The ITA Airways flight, bound for Rome, initiated an unexpected left turn immediately after takeoff, placing it directly in the path of the American Airlines flight, which was en route to New York. Air traffic controllers promptly intervened, instructing the ITA Airways pilot to turn right and the American Airlines pilot to halt altitude climb to prevent a collision. The two planes were at similar altitudes and came within about one mile of each other horizontally.
Air Traffic Control Response
Controllers acted swiftly to avert the potential collision. They directed the ITA Airways pilot to “turn right heading 270 immediately” and the American Airlines pilot to “stop your altitude climb” due to the proximity of the other aircraft. The American Airlines pilot confirmed visual contact with the ITA Airways plane as the climb was halted at approximately 1,500 feet.
Background Context
This incident occurred amid ongoing staffing shortages in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which have been linked to the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. The shutdown has led to controllers working without pay, resulting in increased absenteeism and operational challenges. On October 26, 2025, a temporary ground stop was imposed at LAX due to these staffing issues, causing significant flight delays. The October 31 near-miss underscores the critical importance of adequate staffing and effective air traffic control to ensure aviation safety.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Involved | ITA Airways Airbus A330-900 and American Airlines Airbus A321 |
| Location | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) |
| Time of Incident | Approximately 4:00 p.m. local time on October 31, 2025 |
| Cause of Near-Miss | ITA Airways flight initiated an unexpected left turn after takeoff, placing it in the path of the American Airlines flight |
| Air Traffic Control Response | Controllers instructed the ITA Airways pilot to turn right and the American Airlines pilot to halt altitude climb to prevent collision |
| Proximity of Aircraft | Approximately one mile horizontally at similar altitudes |
| Background Context | Incident occurred amid FAA staffing shortages due to the government shutdown, leading to increased absenteeism and operational challenges |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened during the near-miss at LAX on October 31, 2025?
On October 31, 2025, an ITA Airways Airbus A330-900 and an American Airlines Airbus A321 came within approximately one mile of each other shortly after takeoff from parallel runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The ITA Airways flight initiated an unexpected left turn, placing it directly in the path of the American Airlines flight. Air traffic controllers intervened promptly to prevent a collision.
How did air traffic controllers respond to the near-miss?
Air traffic controllers instructed the ITA Airways pilot to “turn right heading 270 immediately” and directed the American Airlines pilot to “stop your altitude climb” due to the proximity of the other aircraft. The American Airlines pilot confirmed visual contact with the ITA Airways plane as the climb was halted at approximately 1,500 feet.
What is the background context of this incident?
The near-miss occurred amid ongoing staffing shortages in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), linked to the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. The shutdown has led to controllers working without pay, resulting in increased absenteeism and operational challenges. On October 26, 2025, a temporary ground stop was imposed at LAX due to these staffing issues, causing significant flight delays. The October 31 near-miss underscores the critical importance of adequate staffing and effective air traffic control to ensure aviation safety.
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