Airliner Makes “Expedited Climb” To Avoid Mountain

Hawaii News Now reports:

An American Airlines flight apparently came dangerously close to the Koolau mountain range earlier this week. Aircraft tracker FlightAware shows Flight 298 departed from Honolulu for Los Angeles on Wednesday just after 12:30 a.m.

The flight path was straight, but aviation experts said the route should take a hard right turn after takeoff.

Audio released of an air traffic controller can be heard instructing the pilot to avoid the mountains: “Number 298 turn right, expedite your climb through terrain and then turn right through 120.”

ABC News reports:

An American Airlines flight had to “perform an expedited climb” in order to avoid a mountain during a routine departure out of Hawaii on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, “An air traffic controller instructed American Airlines Flight 298 to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Honolulu International Airport.”

“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Hear the warning below.