‘We Owe You Our Lives,’ Pilot Told Controller After Near-Miss

An airline pilot who narrowly missed colliding with a private plane over Orange County thanked the air traffic controller who warned him of the danger, and said the action saved “our lives,” a taped radio conversation showed Friday.

Authorities praised the quick reaction of the controller who instructed the pilot of the American Airlines jet to stop climbing in order to miss the small aircraft by an estimated 400 feet.

The incident occurred Oct. 17, as American Airlines Flight 2041, bound for Oakland, left John Wayne Airport in hazy sky conditions.

Soon after takeoff, the airliner stopped climbing and banked sharply to avoid the unidentified private pilot who had strayed into restricted air space at about 1,400 feet.

Radioed Controller

A few minutes later, the American pilot radioed the civilian air traffic controller at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to express his gratitude.

“Forgot to say . . . thank you,” the pilot said. “We owe you our lives.”

The airline, citing company policy, declined to identify the pilot.

The tape was played Friday by Federal Aviation Administration officials to demonstrate how their air traffic control system should work.

The FAA refused to identify the controller.

“What’s significant is the short reaction time,” said FAA spokesman Joe Fowler. “He reacted in approximately two seconds, stopping the pilot’s climb and averting disaster . . . his instincts took over.

“If he’d waited another two seconds, it would have meant disaster, pure and simple.”

400 Feet Below

He said the American pilot indicated he passed about 400 feet below the private plane.

Passengers remained calm, but were shaken by the sudden evasive maneuver. The flight continued on safely to Oakland International Airport.

None of the 34 passengers and five crew members aboard suffered injuries.

An investigation will determine whether any violations will be filed against the pilot of the single-engine Cessna 210, officials said.