🚨 Collision Risk at Los Angeles: ITA Airways and American Airlines Only Feet from Disaster

A Collision Risk at Los Angeles was narrowly avoided on October 31, 2025, over the skies of Los Angeles, involving an ITA Airways Airbus A330neo, bound for Rome Fiumicino (FCO), and an American Airlines Airbus A321, bound for New York (JFK). The separation between the two aircraft, both in the climb phase after take-off, dropped dangerously to just 50 feet (approximately 15 meters) vertically.

Details of the Collision Risk at Los Angeles

The incident, technically defined as an air proximity event, occurred immediately after the near-simultaneous take-off from an LAX runway.

• The Route Error: According to preliminary reconstructions, the ITA Airways aircraft allegedly performed an unexpected and unauthorized turn shortly after leaving the runway. This maneuver brought the aircraft into the climb path of the American Airlines A321, violating the standard separation minimums required for safety.

• Decisive Intervention: The collision was averted thanks to the swiftness and professionalism of the Los Angeles Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). They immediately ordered the ITA crew to turn "right immediately" to correct the error, while instructing the American aircraft to temporarily stop its climb and be aware of the wake turbulence generated by the larger ITA jet.

• Critical Distance: Despite the rapid action, radar data indicates that for a brief moment, the vertical distance between the two aircraft was reduced to an extremely critical level.

Investigation and Implications for ITA Airways

Both the American Civil Aviation Authority (FAA) and ITA Airways have launched in-depth internal investigations into the occurrence.

• Focus on the Crew: The investigation will concentrate on the ITA crew to determine whether the deviation was caused by human error, a procedural issue, or an on-board technical malfunction.

• Reputational Impact: The incident comes at a sensitive time for ITA, which is finalizing its entry into the Lufthansa Group and the transition to Star Alliance. Although the airline confirmed the aircraft landed safely in Rome Fiumicino and operated according to the ATC's final instructions, such incidents draw unwelcome attention to operational procedures in a context of intense international scrutiny.

The LAX incident serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for maintaining rigorous operating standards at high-traffic airports, especially on intercontinental routes.