Airplane Delayed at LAX due to Rejected Takeoff: What Happened and What Could Have Been

Passengers aboard American Airlines flight AA2453, scheduled to depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday evening, experienced a delay of over two hours when the pilots had to initiate a rejected takeoff. According to CNN, the aircraft, an Airbus A321-200, was taking off for Boston at 10:15 PM when an AeroLogic Boeing 777F entered the same runway ahead.

As a result, the air traffic controller canceled AA2453’s takeoff clearance, and the pilots were forced to perform a high-speed rejected takeoff. The aircraft returned to the gate and eventually departed two and a half hours later. This rejected takeoff prevented a potential collision with the 777F, which had just arrived and proceeded to its gate after the incident.

Details of the Incident

The American Airlines flight, registered as N110AN, was an Airbus A321-200 operating from LAX to Boston Logan International Airport. The flight was scheduled to depart at 10:15 PM and arrive at 6:47 AM the next morning. N110AN is a “transcon” A321 with a capacity of 102 seats, including 10 first-class seats, 20 business class seats, and 72 economy seats.

The AeroLogic flight, registered as D-AALL, was a Boeing 777F operating from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to LAX. It had departed Shanghai at 3:00 AM and arrived at LAX at 10:33 PM. After landing on Runway 25L, the aircraft took a high-speed exit on the right side and ended up between Runway 25L and Runway 25R, where AA2453 was lining up for takeoff.

Although the Los Angeles Tower control had cleared AA2453 for takeoff and instructed AeroLogic to cross Runway 25L, the cargo apron is located south of the runway. However, instead of following instructions, the AeroLogic flight turned right and crossed Runway 25R, where AA2453 was already preparing for takeoff. In response, the air traffic controller canceled AA2453’s takeoff clearance, requiring the pilots to perform a high-speed rejected takeoff.

Aftermath of the Incident

Data from Flightradar24. com shows that the Airbus A321 rejected takeoff at a speed of approximately 124 knots, classified as a high-speed rejected takeoff. The aircraft was likely inspected for any potential damage before departing for Boston at 12:55 AM. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew, and the aircraft appeared to be undamaged.

The 777F crossed Runway 25R and taxied parallel to the runway before receiving clearance to cross Runway 25R and 25L and reaching the cargo apron, where it was directed to the gate by