The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting an investigation following a commercial flight en route to Hawaii that safely aborted takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport. Hawaiian Airlines Flight 33 experienced an “unstable” nose wheel, prompting the crew to halt its takeoff at approximately 8 a.m. No injuries were reported, and air traffic operations, which were briefly suspended as a precaution, have since returned to normal.
Video footage captured black smoke emerging from underneath the aircraft as it maneuvered on the runway. A spokesperson from Hawaiian Airlines reported that a “vibration” was detected in the nose wheel of the Airbus A330 before takeoff. Subsequently, the pilots decided to return to the gate, where the aircraft arrived without incident at the terminal.
Passengers deplaned while mechanics evaluated and fixed the issue. The flight later departed at 11:48 a.m. local time headed for Kahului Airport. Hawaiian Airlines, recently acquired by Alaska Airlines, emphasized that the safety of their employees and passengers is their primary concern and apologized for any inconvenience caused.
In related developments, a lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines by a passenger named Jerry Adamson. The lawsuit alleges negligence and misconduct following an incident in March when a flight from Denver to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport caught fire shortly after takeoff. The passenger claims that the airline and its staff failed to maintain the aircraft properly and ignored known engine issues. The plaintiffs underline that the flight crew chose to taxi with a malfunctioning engine rather than seek assistance, leading to the right engine catching fire after landing in Denver. The incident resulted in passengers inhaling smoke and fire retardant, and some, including Adamson, received medical attention.
FAA officials are continuing their investigation into the Hawaiian Airlines occurrence.
