American Airlines Flight Avoids Mountain Collision

On November 13, American Airlines Flight 298, which took off from Honolulu International Airport bound for Los Angeles, narrowly avoided a crash into the Koʻolau mountain range due to a missed turn by the pilots. Air traffic control intervened by instructing the crew to perform an expedited climb, enabling the aircraft to safely ascend beyond the mountain's height. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the pilots had not made the assigned turn, but their compliance with the controller's instructions prevented a potential disaster. American Airlines stated that the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System did not activate during the incident, indicating that there were no terrain clearance issues based on the flight's trajectory. The aircraft ultimately landed safely in Los Angeles approximately seven hours after takeoff. This incident emphasizes the critical role of air traffic control in ensuring flight safety.