Frustrated AA Pilot Declares Low Fuel After multiple Missed Approaches at LAX

American Airlines AAL521, Multiple Missed Approaches at Los Angeles

American Airlines flight AAL521 was approaching Los Angeles International Airport on 23 January 2018 when a change in the wind complicated the runway configuration. The flight was initially approaching in an east-flow configuration, but the wind shifted toward westerly conditions during the arrival.

The first approach ended in a missed approach after the crew encountered a tailwind on runway 07R. The airport then moved back toward west-flow operations. AAL521 was subsequently positioned for runway 25L, but the traffic sequence created another problem: the aircraft was too close behind an MD-10 already established on the approach.

A second missed approach followed. By then, the crew had spent additional time in the arrival sequence and had used more fuel than anticipated. The pilot reported low fuel to ATC and expressed frustration with the repeated approaches.

Controllers continued working the aircraft and eventually positioned AAL521 for another approach to runway 25L. The third approach was completed successfully and the aircraft landed safely.

The event is a useful example of how changing winds can produce effects well beyond runway selection. A change in airport configuration altered the approach sequence, traffic spacing then contributed to another missed approach, and the accumulated delay became a fuel-management concern for the crew.

The available incident record establishes the sequence of the approaches and the low-fuel report, but does not provide a final fuel quantity in the material used here. The significant point is that the crew communicated the developing fuel concern and ultimately completed a safe landing.

“On January 23, 2018 at Los Angeles Intl Airport became intense as AAL521 faced challenges during landing.”

Accident Facts

Sources

• Video source (ATC/audio reconstruction)
• Historical ATC recording associated with American Airlines flight AAL521.
• Historical flight/airport traffic records for Los Angeles International Airport.
• Video/ATC recording