LAX Collision Believed Not Fault of Controllers

The Federal Aviation Administration pieced together details of the collision of two jetliners on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport and reached a preliminary conclusion Tuesday that the incident did not involve air traffic operations or controllers.

Meanwhile, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said the agency will investigate the accident, involving an America West Boeing 737 and United Airlines Boeing 747SP at about 8:40 p.m. Monday.

While damage to the tail section of the American West was described as “considerable,” none of the 76 passengers and crew of five on the Phoenix-bound airliner or two mechanics on the United craft was injured, according to reports.

‘No Air Traffic Involvement’

“It is still under investigation, but the preliminary finding is that there is no air traffic involvement,” said FAA spokeswoman Barbara Abels.

Reconstructing events leading to the collision, Abels reported that:

America West’s 737 had been cleared to taxi by an outer taxiway to Runway 25 Right in preparation for takeoff, and United had received permission to taxi behind the departing airliner to reach a maintenance hangar. Both aircraft were going east and were just east of the Sepulveda Tunnel when the United plane turned off the taxiway, and its right wing tip struck the tail section of the America West airliner.

“It is the responsibility of the crew to maintain adequate clearance from other aircraft on taxiing. . . . It appears to be a misjudgment on the part of the crew,” Abels said.

Awaiting Instructions

According to America West spokeswoman Daphne Dicino, the pilot of the 737 said that he had stopped his aircraft and was waiting for takeoff instructions when his plane was struck by the 747.

Upon impact, Dicino said, the pilot turned off the power to prevent fire aboard the loaded airliner, and the rear evacuation slide was deployed. Fourteen passengers used the emergency exit, and the remainder left the aircraft by the forward stairs, she said.

Dicino estimated that it might take a day or two to determine the full extent of damage to the America West airliner, but she said it already has been determined that the plane’s tail cone, left horizontal stabilizer, auxiliary power unit and pressure control unit were damaged.

Dan Sheehy, representing United, said the airline is awaiting the results of an investigation before trying to assess who may have been at fault in the accident. Meanwhile, he said, maintenance people are inspecting the damage to United’s plane.