B777 Was Vectored Toward Mountains In Southern California

The FAA is investigating an incident from earlier this month in which a Boeing 777 operated by Eva Air was given an incorrect instruction by an Air Traffic Controller shortly after takeoff from KLAX.

ABC News reports that the controller told the pilot of Eva Air flight BR15, which had departed to the east from the airport, to turn left to a heading of 180 degrees. The flight was supposed turn right to 180 degrees before turning west to fly over the Pacific Ocean.

The pilot turned left as instructed, which put the plane on a collision course with the San Gabriel Mountains, southern California's highest mountain range.

To the controllers credit, she quickly realized her mistake and gave the pilot the correct instructions ... a right turn to 180. But not before the 777 had turned left and came close to an Air Canada airliner that was directly behind the Eva Air Flight.

Audio obtained from LiveATC.net indicates that the controller gave repeated instrutions to the pilot to climb to 7,000 feet and turn to the south, but not before the plane entered the mountain range. The airplane reportedly cleared 5,700-foot Mt. Wilson by only 500 feet. The peak was reportedly just to the left of the airplane.

The Los Angeles Times reports that, according to a statement from Eva Air, its airplane was "never too close to the mountains or the other aircraft." The airline said it is cooperating with the FAA in its investigation.

ABC News cites a government source who said the controller is not currently working in the regional tower at KLAX.

(Eva Air track from FlightRadar24.com)

FMI: www.faa.gov