Aboard AF025 at LAX - just aborted takeoff due to a plane on the runway
Posted by melisande_8@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 47 comments
View from the cockpit cam - yikes
pilot3033@reddit
The Gulfstream was told to hold short of the runway and nosed over the hold bars which turned on the runway status lights. The Air France pilots stopped the take off at the same time the controller cancelled the takeoff clearance.
SpaceForceLazers@reddit
It seems like these issues come from private jets who dont listen
Common_Fondant_9185@reddit
The timing there is insane everything lining up just right or wrong so quickly. I’d be replaying that moment in my head nonstop if I were in the cockpit.
pilot3033@reddit
The new high-speed turn offs from 24R are notorious for this. The hold bars are clearly marked so I am not entirely sure why airplanes drift past them except that they are not parallel to the runway, and perhaps the angle throws people off combined with the rubber debris and the glare. In OP's photo you can see the Gulfstream isn't on the runway itself, but is in the runway safety area. I do not think they were at risk of collision; the Gulfstream is stationary but beyond where they should be.
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
Thanks! We took off about 10 minutes later
LazyPasse@reddit
According to the FAA, there are RWSLs installed at taxiway V for the south of runway 24L but not on the north side of taxiway V, which is where the Gulfstream was crossing from. https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_feb_18/SW17000.html
Legal_Campaign_408@reddit
This is an extremely old diagram - there are like 10+ new taxiways at LAX that aren't even displayed here. There are definitely RWSLs on taxiway V
iBeFlying676@reddit
Is there an actual video of this?
XscapeVelocity@reddit
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW5esZ8DaB6/?igsh=Mzc3ZTVlOWMwZA==
Shit-Pilot@reddit
It sounds like a female controller in the background saying “What the fuck” right after the pilots abort transmission.
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! Awesome to watch. Now safely in Paris!
XscapeVelocity@reddit
We were out spotting this today on the north side. The AF heavy never passed T2 before exiting, siting for 10 minutes before looping back. The rotation was near the second high speed exit off 24R, and the flight was heavy using a lot of 24L which is typical for this flight; the departure was parallel with a WN738 in the “Triple Crown” livery.
FWitU@reddit
Yall just go out and take videos of planes?
XscapeVelocity@reddit
Yes, yes we do, and it is incredible! Check out @laxjetvids on IG. LAX rocks! Aviation videography is a fast growing community.
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
Wow, thanks for all this!
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
I only took the photo after we had stopped. On the second attempt everyone was filming their screens, lol
PengPenguin888@reddit
Got up to 66 mph before aborting.
emmgemini@reddit
Oof. Reading that made my stomach flip.
CarminSanDiego@reddit
Definitely warranted an abort but Isn’t that aircraft at the departure end ?
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
We were heading towards it - we were on 24L
CarminSanDiego@reddit
I understand that. I guess what I’m trying to ask is if everything went wrong and you guys continued takeoff, you’d have been airborne and well clear of that aircraft, no? Not trying downplay anything but just trying to see how close this could have been to a disaster
Punkrawk78@reddit
That plane isn’t at the departure end, looks too close and I’ve never seen anyone go all the way to the end landing 24R. There are 3 “high speed” exits off 24R that cross 24L, the closest is about 7000 feet from the start and the furthest something over 8000. Not sure what the takeoff roll of a loaded 777 going to Paris is, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was 7000 or more.
CarminSanDiego@reddit
Ok this is the answer I was looking for. Classic Reddit downvoting for asking a simple question assuming I’m trying to Monday morning quarterback
thatatcguy1223@reddit
Based on LAX layout, it’s a less than 50/50 shot that a wide body going international would clear an aircraft at Y, lower still at W and V taxiways where most private jets exit.
Glad the RWSL and controller caught this before it was high-speed
trackday21@reddit
The reason its not safe to takeoff even if the offending plane won't affect the takeoff is in the moment the takeoff hold lights come on, you don't KNOW the reason the lights are on. A unseen threat (like a firetruck) could be careening towards the runway from a position you don't see and the system will light up.
I already did these mental gymnastics the time I had to reject on 24L for the same thing.
chateau86@reddit
Unless fate decided to fuck you in particular today and one of your engines left the chat just before v1.
danit0ba94@reddit
A lot of that happening lately. 😒
Lumpy-Return@reddit
I mean it’s sort of only half on the runway….you could’ve probably made it.
Digger_Pine@reddit
I'm pro-flight
Feeling_liberated@reddit
Here is a video of the rejected take off from the outside and the ATC conversation
https://youtube.com/shorts/gbOqbFKNIJU?si=CPgMP0-UwC-trobq
Exact_Conclusion_784@reddit
what’s happening with US airports these days 😵💫
biggsteve81@reddit
This was entirely on the pilot not following instructions. ATC and the AF pilot both reacted immediately and correctly.
Exact_Conclusion_784@reddit
ummm… i didn’t blame the ATC… I’m just asking what’s going on with US airports these days…
Littleplanesmtl@reddit
Taxiways crossing runways?
barstoolsam@reddit
This makes o’hares taxiways seem like the correct future-proof option now and other airports should be doing what they’re doing to prevent this.
ry_mich@reddit
That Gulfstream pilot needs his ticket pulled for a while. Incredibly incompetent.
No-War6421@reddit
How long until we have another Tenerife collision?
Holiday-Position-670@reddit
How far down the runway did you get?
pornborn@reddit
Someone has to make an uncomfortable phone call.
railker@reddit
Cockpit cam like in the IFE? I knew there were tail cams but never heard of that one
3a5m@reddit
Technically I think it's a nose gear cam not a cockpit cam - like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/comments/1n5nut1/this_is_definitely_a_cool_feature/
melisande_8@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
LeBronGOOD@reddit
More info?
swagmaster778@reddit
Far out
m149@reddit
yikes indeed. Glad it worked out.
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