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FedEx gets mad at LAX tower, then AA 777 goes around
A frustrated LAX controller disputes a landing clearance with FedEx before ordering an American go-around.
Summary
This recording captures a high-pressure sequence at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) involving a communication breakdown and multiple safety alerts. A controller and a FedEx pilot clash over a landing clearance, followed shortly by a Boeing 777 being forced into a go-around and a Spirit Airlines flight receiving a low-altitude warning.
Analysis
The recording begins during a period of high-density operations at LAX, showcasing the complexity of managing parallel runway operations. The first notable event is a verbal friction between the Tower controller and FedEx 3745 Heavy. The controller expresses frustration, stating it is the "third clearance" being issued, while the pilot firmly maintains they only heard a sequencing instruction ("number one") rather than an explicit landing clearance. This highlights the critical nature of standard phraseology and the potential for "expectation bias" or radio frequency congestion to mask vital instructions.
Following this exchange, the controller attempts to depart an Air France 65 "Super" (an Airbus A380) on Runway 25 Left with an American Airlines Boeing 777 (AA135) on a two-and-a-half-mile final. Due to the "Super" designation, the A380 generates significant wake turbulence and requires more time and space for departure. The timing proves too tight; the controller is forced to issue an urgent go-around instruction to American 135, directing them to climb to 2,000 feet and turn left to avoid the departing heavy traffic.
The intensity of the session continues when Spirit 869, following the go-around, receives a "low altitude alert." The controller's immediate instruction to "check your altitude immediately" indicates that the aircraft had descended below the safe glide path or Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) for that sector. The pilot quickly acknowledges and corrects, but the sequence of events—a communication dispute, a go-around, and a low-altitude alert—suggests a high-workload environment pushing the limits of tactical separation.
Technically, this recording illustrates the challenges of the "Super" wake turbulence category. Because the A380 is so much larger than standard "Heavy" aircraft, controllers must apply increased separation. When the controller cleared the Air France Super for takeoff with traffic only 2.5 miles out, the margin for error was nearly non-existent, ultimately leading to the American 777 being unable to land safely behind it.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
TOWER
United 923 Heavy, contact SoCal Approach on 124.3.
TOWER
United 923, large aircraft, switch over to Southern California regional controllers on frequency 124.3.
UNITED 923
124.3, United 923.
UNITED 923
Switching to 124.3, United 923.
TOWER
United 1227, LAX Tower. Continue taxiing all the way to the end, please.
TOWER
United 1227, this is LAX Tower. Keep driving your plane all the way to the end of the path, please.
UNITED 1227
All the way to the end, United 1227.
UNITED 1227
Heading all the way to the end, United 1227.
TOWER
United 1227, traffic crossing midfield. Runway 25 Right, line up and wait.
TOWER
United 1227, watch out for another plane crossing the middle of the field. Pull onto Runway 25 Right and stop there to wait.
UNITED 1227
Runway 25 Right, line up and wait, United 1227.
UNITED 1227
Moving onto Runway 25 Right to wait, United 1227.
TOWER
Air France 65 Super, cross Runway 25 Left, turn left on Alpha, hold short of Foxtrot. Remain on this frequency.
TOWER
Air France 65, massive aircraft, go across Runway 25 Left, turn left on taxiway Alpha, and stop just before you reach taxiway Foxtrot. Stay on this radio channel.
AIR FRANCE 65
Cross Runway 25 Left, left on Alpha, and hold short of—second holding point? Air France 65.
AIR FRANCE 65
Crossing Runway 25 Left, turning left on Alpha, and stopping before—which intersection was that? Air France 65.
TOWER
Air France 65, Foxtrot.
TOWER
Air France 65, stop before taxiway Foxtrot.
AIR FRANCE 65
Hold short of Foxtrot, Air France 65.
AIR FRANCE 65
Stopping before Foxtrot, Air France 65.
TOWER
Southwest 1162, taxi Hotel, Papa, cross 25 Right, contact Ground on 121.75.
TOWER
Southwest 1162, take taxiways Hotel and Papa, go across Runway 25 Right, then talk to the ground traffic controllers on 121.75.
SOUTHWEST 1162
Hotel, Papa, cross 25 Right, Ground .75. Southwest 1162.
SOUTHWEST 1162
Hotel, Papa, crossing 25 Right, and switching to ground on point 75. Southwest 1162.
TOWER
American 180, LAX Tower. Continue to the full length.
TOWER
American 180, LAX Tower here. Keep going until you reach the very end of the runway.
AMERICAN 180
Full length, American 180.
AMERICAN 180
Going to the very end, American 180.
TOWER
United 1227, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
United 1227, you're all set to take off from Runway 25 Right.
UNITED 1227
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. United 1227.
UNITED 1227
We’re all set to take off on the right-side runway, 25 Right. United 1227.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, LAX Tower. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Traffic is a Gulfstream on a six-mile final.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, this is LAX Tower. You are cleared to land on runway 25 Left. Just so you know, there’s a Gulfstream jet about six miles out on its final approach ahead of you.
SKYWEST 5968
Cleared to land, 25 Left. SkyWest 5968.
SKYWEST 5968
Got it, cleared to land on 25 Left. SkyWest 5968.
TOWER
Air France 65 Super, at Taxiway Hotel Alpha 6, pass behind the Gulfstream coming out of the ramp.
TOWER
Air France 65, your massive jet is at taxiway Alpha 6; go ahead and let that Gulfstream coming out of the parking area pass in front of you.
AIR FRANCE 65
Giving way on Alpha 6, Air France 65 Super.
AIR FRANCE 65
We’ll wait right here on the taxiway and let him pass. Air France 65.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, what's your final?
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, what is your speed on this final approach?
SKYWEST 5968
I have the final approach speed now for SkyWest 5968.
SKYWEST 5968
We’ve got our landing speed dialed in now for SkyWest 5968.
TOWER
FedEx 3729, LAX Tower. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
FedEx 3729, LAX Tower. You are all clear to land on runway 25 Left.
FEDEX 3729
Cleared to land, 25 Left. FedEx 3729.
FEDEX 3729
Cleared to land, 25 Left. FedEx 3729.
TOWER
United 1227, contact SoCal Approach.
TOWER
United 1227, time to switch over and talk to the regional controllers at SoCal Approach.
UNITED 1227
124.3, United 1227.
UNITED 1227
Switching to frequency 124.3, United 1227.
TOWER
FedEx 3745 Heavy, LAX Tower. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Number two following a heavy Airbus on a three-mile final. Caution wake turbulence.
TOWER
FedEx 3745, you’re cleared to land on 25 Left. You’re second in line behind a large Airbus that’s three miles ahead of you. Watch out for the swirling air currents it leaves behind.
FEDEX 3745
Number two, FedEx 3745 Heavy.
FEDEX 3745
We're second in line, FedEx 3745.
TOWER
Air France 065 Super, can we proceed now?
TOWER
Air France 65, are you ready to get moving now?
AIR FRANCE 65
Air France 65, affirmative. Did you see the Gulfstream go by?
AIR FRANCE 65
Air France 65, yes we are. Did you see that Gulfstream pass us yet?
AIR FRANCE 65
Yeah, so we're taxiing. We'll hold short of Foxtrot. Air France 65.
AIR FRANCE 65
Yeah, we're taxiing now. We'll stop just before reaching taxiway Foxtrot. Air France 65.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, where are you parking?
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, what gate are you heading to?
SKYWEST 5968
Going to gate 87 today, SkyWest 5968.
SKYWEST 5968
We're going to gate 87 today, SkyWest 5968.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, hold short of 25 Right at Papa. Remain on this frequency.
TOWER
SkyWest 5968, stop and wait before you reach runway 25 Right at the Papa intersection. Stay on this radio frequency.
SKYWEST 5968
Hold short of 25 Right at Papa for SkyWest 5968.
SKYWEST 5968
Stopping before 25 Right at Papa for SkyWest 5968.
TOWER
American 180, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
American 180, you're all set to take off on runway 25 Right.
AMERICAN 180
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. American 180.
AMERICAN 180
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. American 180.
FEDEX 3745
FedEx 3745 Heavy, understand we're cleared to land?
FEDEX 3745
FedEx 3745, our large heavy jet, just confirming we're authorized to land?
TOWER
FedEx 3745 Heavy, this is like the third clearance I’m issuing you. How do you hear me?
TOWER
FedEx 3745, this is the third time I’ve given you that permission. How is your radio reception?
FEDEX 3745
I hear you fine. You said "number one," you never said "cleared to land."
FEDEX 3745
I hear you fine. You said we were first in line, but you never actually said the words "cleared to land."
TOWER
I did—every single time. FedEx 3745 Heavy, you're number one. Wind 260 at 5. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
I did—every single time. FedEx 3745, you're first in line. Wind is 5 knots from the west. Runway 25 Left, you're authorized to land.
FEDEX 3745
Cleared to land, 25 Left. FedEx 3745.
FEDEX 3745
Cleared to land, 25 Left. FedEx 3745.
TOWER
Air France 65 Super, Runway 25 Left, line up and wait. Traffic is a Boeing 777 on a six-mile final.
TOWER
Air France 65, your massive jet can pull onto runway 25 Left and wait there. There’s a Boeing 777 six miles out on its final approach to land.
AIR FRANCE 65
Line up and wait, 25 Left. Air France 65.
AIR FRANCE 65
Moving onto the runway to wait, 25 Left. Air France 65.
TOWER
American 135 Heavy, caution wake turbulence. Super Airbus departing prior to your arrival.
TOWER
American 135, watch out for the rough air currents. That massive Airbus is taking off right before you arrive.
AMERICAN 135
Airbus departing, understand. American 135 Heavy.
AMERICAN 135
We see that Airbus taking off, understood. This is the large American 135.
TOWER
American 135 Heavy, Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
American 135, you are cleared to land on the left runway, number 25.
AMERICAN 135
Cleared to land, 25 Left. American 135 Heavy.
AMERICAN 135
Got it, cleared to land on 25 Left. American 135.
TOWER
Air France 65 Super, Runway 25 Left, cleared for takeoff. Traffic is on a two-and-a-half-mile final.
TOWER
Air France 65, you’re cleared to take off from 25 Left. Be quick, there’s another plane on its final approach only two and a half miles out.
AIR FRANCE 65
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Left. Air France 65 Super.
AIR FRANCE 65
Cleared for takeoff on 25 Left. Air France 65.
TOWER
Spirit 869, LAX Tower. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Caution wake turbulence.
TOWER
Spirit 869, this is the LA tower. You’re cleared to land on 25 Left, but watch out for the rough air left behind by that massive jet ahead of you.
SPIRIT 869
Cleared to land, 25 Left. Spirit 869.
SPIRIT 869
Cleared to land on 25 Left. Spirit 869.
TOWER
American 135 Heavy, go around! Climb and maintain 2,000. Turn left heading 200 as soon as able.
TOWER
American 135, abort your landing! Pull up, climb to 2,000 feet, and turn left immediately toward the southwest.
AMERICAN 135
Okay, left heading 200. We can do it. American 135 Heavy.
AMERICAN 135
Okay, turning left now. We’re on it. American 135.
TOWER
Delta 1454, caution wake turbulence. Runway 25 Right, line up and wait.
TOWER
Delta 1454, watch out for the swirling air from that heavy jet. Pull onto the right runway and wait there for my signal.
DELTA 1454
Line up and wait, 25 Right. Delta 1454.
DELTA 1454
Moving onto the right runway to wait. Delta 1454.
TOWER
Air France 65 Super, contact SoCal Approach. Good day.
TOWER
Air France 65, switch over to the Southern California controllers now. Have a good flight.
AIR FRANCE 65
Departure, Air France 65. Good day.
AIR FRANCE 65
Switching to departure control, Air France 65. Good day.
TOWER
American 135 Heavy, contact Approach on 124.3. See ya.
TOWER
American 135, go ahead and talk to the arrival controllers on frequency 124.3. See ya.
AMERICAN 135
See ya, American 135 Heavy.
AMERICAN 135
See ya, American 135.
TOWER
Spirit 869, low altitude alert. Check your altitude immediately. LAX altimeter 29.88.
TOWER
Spirit 869, you're flying dangerously low. Check your altitude immediately. The local air pressure for your height sensor is 29.88.
SPIRIT 869
Checking, Spirit 869. Correcting.
SPIRIT 869
We're checking now, Spirit 869. We are climbing back up.
TOWER
Delta 1454, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
Delta 1454, you are authorized to take off from the right-side runway 25.
DELTA 1454
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. Delta 1454.
DELTA 1454
Authorized for takeoff on 25 Right. Delta 1454.
TOWER
United 1170, your new departure frequency is 124.3. Continue holding.
TOWER
United 1170, switch your radio to 124.3 for your departure. Keep waiting where you are for now.
UNITED 1170
124.3. Continue holding, United 1170.
UNITED 1170
Switching to 124.3. We'll stay put, United 1170.
TOWER
SkyWest 4839, Runway 25 Right, line up and wait.
TOWER
SkyWest 4839, move onto the right-side runway 25 and wait there; do not take off yet.
SKYWEST 4839
25 Right, line up and wait. SkyWest 4839.
SKYWEST 4839
Moving onto 25 Right to wait. SkyWest 4839.
TOWER
United 1170, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff. Turn left heading 220 for vector to point spacing.
TOWER
United 1170, you're clear to take off on runway 25 Right. Turn left to a compass heading of 220 so we can guide you into the traffic flow.
UNITED 1170
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. Left heading 220. United 1170.
UNITED 1170
Clear for takeoff on 25 Right. Turning left to heading 220. United 1170.
TOWER
SkyWest 4839, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
SkyWest 4839, you are authorized to take off from the right-side runway 25.
SKYWEST 4839
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. SkyWest 4839.
SKYWEST 4839
Taking off now on 25 Right. SkyWest 4839.
TOWER
Spirit 883, LAX Tower. Number two, Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
Spirit 883, this is the LAX Tower. You are second in line; you're clear to land on the left-side runway 25.
SPIRIT 883
Cleared to land, 25 Left. Spirit 883.
SPIRIT 883
Authorized to land on 25 Left. Spirit 883.
TOWER
United 1494, taxi Hotel, Alpha, hold short of 25 Right.
TOWER
United 1494, drive along taxiways Hotel and Alpha, then stop just before you reach runway 25 Right.
UNITED 1494
Hold short of 25 Right at Alpha, United 1494.
UNITED 1494
United 1494, we'll stop and wait before reaching Runway 25 Right at taxiway Alpha.
TOWER
Compass 5942, LAX Tower. Continue to the full length.
TOWER
Compass 5942, this is LAX Tower. Keep taxiing all the way to the very end of the runway.
COMPASS 5942
Full length, Compass 5942.
COMPASS 5942
Going to the very end, Compass 5942.
TOWER
FedEx 749 Heavy, LAX Tower. Number two following an Airbus. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
FedEx 749, our large cargo jet, this is LAX Tower. You are second in line following an Airbus. You're cleared to land on Runway 25 Left.
FEDEX 749
Cleared to land, 25 Left. FedEx 749.
FEDEX 749
Cleared to land on 25 Left, FedEx 749.
TOWER
Compass 5942, Runway 25 Right, line up and wait.
TOWER
Compass 5942, pull onto Runway 25 Right and wait there for my final signal.
COMPASS 5942
Line up and wait, 25 Right. Compass 5942.
COMPASS 5942
Moving onto the runway to wait, 25 Right. Compass 5942.
TOWER
Compass 5942, Runway 25 Right, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
Compass 5942, you are cleared for takeoff on Runway 25 Right.
COMPASS 5942
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. Compass 5942.
COMPASS 5942
Cleared for takeoff, 25 Right. Compass 5942.
TOWER
American 135 Heavy, check in with LAX Tower. Wind 270 at 8. Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
American 135, our large jet, you're now with LAX Tower. The wind is from the west at 8 knots. You're cleared to land on Runway 25 Left.
AMERICAN 135
Cleared to land, 25 Left. American 135 Heavy.
AMERICAN 135
Cleared to land, 25 Left. American 135, heavy jet.
TOWER
Southwest 292, LAX Tower. Number one, Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Caution wake turbulence.
TOWER
Southwest 292, LAX Tower. You're first in line for Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Watch out for the rough air currents left behind by the plane ahead of you.
SOUTHWEST 292
Cleared to land, 25 Left. Southwest 292.
SOUTHWEST 292
Cleared to land, 25 Left. Southwest 292.
TOWER
Aeroméxico 644, LAX Tower. Number three, Runway 25 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
Aeroméxico 644, LAX Tower. You're third in line. You're cleared to land on Runway 25 Left.
AEROMÉXICO 644
Number three, Runway 25 Left, cleared to land. Aeroméxico 644.
AEROMÉXICO 644
Third in line, cleared to land on 25 Left. Aeroméxico 644.
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