American Airlines Flight 167 Avoids The Pacific Ocean As Pilot Makes Sharp Turn Back To The U.S.: Flight Diverted To LAX
An American Airlines flight (Flight 167) diverted to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Wednesday, September 23. The flight between New York and Tokyo is a daily long-haul flight offered by American Airlines. The pilot decided to divert the flight before crossing the Pacific Ocean. After 10 hours in the air, passengers were accommodated at LAX.
This incident follows an eventful last couple of weeks for pilots operating American Airlines flights. On flight 1179 to Miami International Airport (MIA), an American Airlines pilot reported a dress code violation, as a female passenger removed her clothing on a flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). In a separate incident, an American Airlines pilot also reported a banned drone device at Reagan National Airport (DCA). The report halted all flights due to safety concerns.
An American Airlines flight (Flight 167) diverted to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Wednesday, September 23. The flight between New York and Tokyo is a daily long-haul flight offered by American Airlines. The pilot decided to divert the flight before crossing the Pacific Ocean. After 10 hours in the air, passengers were accommodated at LAX.
This incident follows an eventful last couple of weeks for pilots operating American Airlines flights. On flight 1179 to Miami International Airport (MIA), an American Airlines pilot reported a dress code violation, as a female passenger removed her clothing on a flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). In a separate incident, an American Airlines pilot also reported a banned drone device at Reagan National Airport (DCA). The report halted all flights due to safety concerns.
In the case of flight 167, the pilot was forced to make a sharp turn back to the U.S. Since its landing, crews have been inspecting the aircraft at LAX.
American Airlines Diverted Flight 167 That Was Bound For Tokyo
Flight AA167 is a key long-haul route between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). The route runs daily, seven times per week. The flight is a lengthy one, roughly 14 hours and 25 minutes, totaling 6,757 miles.
On a recent flight that departed New York at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, the pilot decided to divert after crossing Canada and approaching the Alaska border.
According to Air Live, at the time of the decision, the flight had already been in the air for roughly five hours. Instead of continuing its flight path across the Pacific Ocean, the pilot changed course and headed back toward the U.S.
Air Live wrote, “Roughly five hours into the journey, as the aircraft approached the border of Alaska. Rather than continuing across the Pacific ocean, the crew altered their flight path, initiating a sharp left turn back toward the continental United States.”
The flight made a lengthy diversion to Los Angeles International Airport. According to AirLive, the aircraft could have diverted to closer airports in Vancouver or even Seattle. However, the pilot decided on LAX due to a variety of factors. Among them include better accommodations for passengers, along with aircraft availability to get passengers on a different flight to Tokyo.
The AA Pilot Decided To Avoid Crossing The Pacific Ocean Due To A Technical Malfunction
The flight made a safe landing at LAX shortly after 5 p.m. PT. At that point, the flight had been airborne for more than ten hours. Ultimately, the reason for the diversion was due to a technical issue that was encountered near the Arctic Circle.
“Flight crews identified a technical malfunction,” Air Live wrote.
The decision to turn back at that point was made due to the flight still having more than another nine hours left on it. Given the technical issue, the decision was made to turn back, although the diversion took an extra five hours before a proper landing was made at LAX.
How American Airlines Is Dealing With The Affected Passengers At LAX
Once the flight landed, the American Airlines customers were accommodated at LAX. As for the aircraft, it is currently under inspection to resolve the technical issue that caused the lengthy diversion.
American Airlines will resume the flight with the affected passengers to Tokyo Haneda Airport on September 24, in the afternoon.
Air Live confirmed, “According to airline operations, the aircraft is undergoing maintenance inspection to resolve the technical issue. The stranded passengers are scheduled to resume their journey to Tokyo Haneda Airport later this afternoon, September 24.