An Air France Airbus A350-900 and an American Airlines Airbus A321-200 were involved in a near-mid-air collision shortly….
The incident occurred after the Air France aircraft reportedly deviated from its assigned departure procedure, prompting air traffic control (ATC) to issue immediate instructions to both flight crews.
The incident occurred at approximately 8.15 a.m. (UTC). Air France Flight AF28 departed at approximately 8.15 a.m. (UTC), followed by American Airlines Flight AA1660 at approximately 8.16 a.m. (UTC).
The aircraft involved were a 2.5-year-old Airbus A350-900 registered as F-HUVK, operating Air France flight AF28 to Papeete International Airport (PPT), French Polynesia, and an almost 26-year-old Airbus A321-200 registered as N191UW, operating American Airlines flight AA1660 to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas.
Air France AF28 departed from Runway 24L, while American Airlines AA1660 took off from Runway 25R.According to the available ATC communications, the Air France crew was cleared for take-off under the SUMMR2 Standard Instrument Departure (SID). The procedure required the aircraft to follow its assigned departure routing after take-off.
Shortly after departure, the A350 reportedly initiated an unexpected left turn rather than continuing along the assigned departure procedure. This brought the aircraft towards the departure path of the American Airlines A321.
At the time, the American Airlines crew reported being at 2,000 ft and climbing towards 5,000 ft. Following the developing situation, ATC instructed the crew to maintain 2,000 ft.
Initial reports, citing flight-tracking information, indicated that the two aircraft came within approximately 400 ft (121 meters) of vertical separation.
Air traffic control intervened after identifying the developing situation. The Air France crew was instructed to immediately turn to a heading of 270 degrees. At the same time, American Airlines Flight AA1660 received a traffic alert, with the controller reporting another aircraft at its 12 o’clock position, at a distance of less than one mile.
The American Airlines crew acknowledged the instruction to maintain 2,000 ft and confirmed that it would reduce its climb to comply with the controller’s instruction.
Following the immediate intervention, the Air France crew was instructed to proceed direct to the DART waypoint and resume its climb via the assigned SID.
During subsequent radio communications, the controller questioned the Air France crew about its departure clearance. The pilots eventually confirmed that they had been instructed to fly the SUMMR2 departure.
The controller subsequently advised the crew of a possible pilot deviation and provided a telephone number for further follow-up.
Following the ATC intervention, both aircraft continued towards their respective destinations.
American Airlines Flight AA1660 was subsequently cleared to climb to 17,000 ft, with a speed restriction of 250 knots. The Air France A350 also continued its departure towards Papeete.
No injuries or aircraft damage were reported in connection with the incident.
As of November 8, 2026, no official investigation findings or confirmed explanation for the Air France aircraft’s unexpected turn had been made public. The circumstances surrounding the deviation remain unclear.