Two Passenger Planes Came Within Five Seconds Of Colliding Over Los Angeles

Two passenger jets narrowly avoided a midair collision near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last week, thanks to the quick actions of an air traffic controller, The Daily Mail reported. The incident involved an Ita Airways flight bound for Rome and an American Airlines jet headed to JFK Airport in New York. According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Ita Airways flight was cleared for takeoff from runway 24 and instructed to turn left. Shortly after, the American Airlines flight was cleared from runway 25 and instructed to turn right.

The two aircraft came within five seconds of a potential crash. However, the air traffic controller's timely alert allowed the pilots to adjust their courses, averting disaster. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, highlighting the critical role of air traffic control in maintaining flight safety.

This near-miss is part of a concerning trend, as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data shows there have been 101 runway incursions caused by pilot deviations in 2025 alone. In a related incident, an American Airlines flight had to abort takeoff at LAX when a cargo flight entered its runway without authorization. The planes were about 5,200 feet apart at their closest point.

The FAA and the airlines involved are investigating these incidents to prevent future occurrences. As aviation safety remains a top priority, these events underscore the importance of vigilance and adherence to protocols.