A Standard Instrument Departure (SID) is a predefined flight route that an aircraft follows when flying out of an airport under instrument flight rules. SIDs are helpful as they help guide planes safely out of the immediate vicinity of the airport.

SIDs help reduce controller workload significantly as they don’t have to worry too much about conflicting traffic especially at busy airports, or in area where there are multiple larger airports close to each other. Some SIDs have a longer predetermined route, while others might be as simple as a runway heading, leaving it up to the terminal radar controller (TRACON) to figure out the next move.

On October 31, 2025, an ITA Airways Airbus A330neo departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) came with a few hundred feet of an American Airlines Airbus A321-200 also departing the same airfield. The aircraft involved are as follows:

  • An ITA Airways Airbus A330-900 registered EI-HJO operating flight AZ621 from Los Angeles to Rome (FCO)
  • An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 registered N107NN operating flight AA4 from Los Angeles to New York (JFK)

According to the VASAviation video, both aircraft were given different SIDs, with the ITA Airways aircraft flying the ORCKA 5 departure from runway 24 Left, while the American was flying OSHNN 1 departure from 25 Right. It is also important to note that while both aircraft were cleared for takeoff in quick succession, the SIDs would have prevented them from conflicting with each other. Take a look at the video and we’ll discuss the specifics later on.

Near MID-AIR COLLISION | Pilots Make Wrong Turn Off LAX!
orcka5
Credit: Federal Aviation Administration

The ORCKA 5 (departing 24L) requires pilots to fly on runway heading to the first waypoint called DLREY and then continue runway heading (251 degrees). From there, the TRACON controller would give further heading and climb instructions.

oshnn1
Credit: Federal Aviation Administration

As for the OSHNN 1 departure (from 25 Right), the SID will initially have the aircraft depart runway heading to waypoint DOCKR, before entering a series of left turns all the way east to either waypoints MISEN or BEALE.

Going off the video, had the ITA Airways continued on runway heading as they should have, it would have been just another dull day at LAX, but they started turning left just as they were over DLREY, putting them on a collision course with the American A321 departing from the southern side of the airport.

Around 1,500 to 1,600 feet, both aircraft were just a few hundred feet apart laterally. With the ITA Airways A330 quickly approaching the other aircraft, the American crew quickly picked up on the conversing traffic, stopping their climb to avoid a collision.

Even though both tower controllers (North controlling the 24s and South controlling the 25s) recognized the conflict, the pilots were only separated when they both contacted the Approach controller. The situation was quickly resolved as the ITA Airways A330 was vectored away to safety, and given a phone number to call.

Both ATC and the American crew were definitely on their game, but it’s puzzling why the ITA Airways crew made that early left turn. My best guess is they either removed the discontinuity (the runway heading gap) and turned left direct to KLIPR, or they may have programmed an entirely different SID (most likely the OSHNN1 departing from 25R) which would have them making a left turn on departure.

Given the severity of the matter, it will most likely end up being formally investigated, but it’s clear the ITA Airways pilots did not follow the departure they should have, putting them in a very dangerous position.

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