Jetliner, Cessna in a Near-Collision Over Long Beach

Federal authorities are investigating an apparent near-collision over Long Beach Airport in which an American Airlines jet carrying 127 passengers was forced to take evasive action after its pilot noticed a single-engine Cessna heading into his flight path.

In a complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration, veteran American Airlines pilot T. R. Pollizi reported that the Cessna closed to within 300 or 400 feet of his MD-80 shortly after he took off for Dallas at about 11:45 a.m. Thursday. To avoid a collision, airline officials said, Pollizi was forced to immediately level off his plane.

There were no injuries to the passengers and American Airlines Flight 216 continued on to Dallas, according to airline spokesman Tim Smith.

The Cessna, flown by a student pilot, was engaged in take-off and landing practice when the incident occurred, according to FAA spokeswoman Elly Brekke. An initial investigation ruled out air traffic controller error, Brekke said, since the Cessna pilot, whom she declined to identify, had been warned to “move further out from the airport before landing.” Moreover, Brekke said, controllers had issued an advisory to the American Airlines pilot that the Cessna was in the vicinity.

Pollizi reported that moments after taking off toward the northwest, he noticed the Cessna about a mile to his left and 200 feet above him. As he leveled off his jet, the pilot added, the Cessna passed 100 feet above the airliner and 300 to 400 feet to its left. The incident occurred about 700 feet in the air, half a mile from the airport.

Brekke said that such close calls are “rare occurrences.” She added that the FAA’s investigation will determine, among other things, the accuracy of the American Airlines pilot’s estimates.

Last August, an Alaska Airlines jetliner coming in for a landing at Long Beach reported swerving to avoid a light plane by only 150 feet.