FAA Investigates American Airlines Airbus A321neo’s Near-Terrain Incident in Honolulu

he Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident involving an American Airlines Airbus A321neo that deviated from its assigned departure path near Honolulu on November 13. Flight AA298, en route to Los Angeles, failed to execute a required right turn after takeoff from Runway 8L at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), instead flying eastward near mountainous terrain.

Honolulu’s north and east borders feature peaks exceeding 3,000 feet, raising safety concerns during the aircraft’s departure. Air Traffic Control (ATC) intervened promptly, instructing the crew to expedite their climb to maintain safe terrain clearance.

Incident Overview
AA298, operating aircraft N418AN, departed HNL at 00:49, 50 minutes behind schedule. Flightradar24 data shows the plane reached 2,900 feet and traveled at 238 knots two minutes after takeoff, heading east near Kōnāhuanui, a mountain peak at 3,150 feet. By 00:52, the aircraft climbed to 5,300 feet and made a corrective right turn southwest of Puʻu OʻKona, avoiding further proximity to the terrain.

The FAA confirmed the crew “did not make the assigned turn,” adding that ATC actions ensured the aircraft “remained safely above nearby terrain.”

Potential Risks
While the FAA emphasized the aircraft’s safety during the incident, aviation experts noted the potential danger if the aircraft had experienced an engine failure. American Airlines has not commented on the matter, and AA298 continued to Los Angeles, landing without further issues.

The FAA investigation remains ongoing.