Probable cause
Failure of the air traffic controller to exercise positive control of the situation by issuing clear and timely control instructions to the helicopter pilot. Contributing to the incident was delay by the helicopter pilot in responding to instructions issued by the controller.
NTSB analysis
A departing Boeing 737-700 passed within 750 feet laterally and 200 feet vertically of a helicopter operating under visual flight rules. Both aircraft were receiving air traffic control services from the airport's air traffic control tower and were operating in Class B airspace. Postincident investigation determined that the controller handling the helicopter did not exercise positive control of the situation by issuing clear and timely control instructions and that the helicopter pilot did not react quickly to instructions issued by the controller.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for OPS10IA538 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2010
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Los Angeles, California
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.