FAA Investigates Close Call on LAX Taxiway After LaGuardia Runway Crash

Frontier Airlines jet narrowly avoids collision with vehicles crossing in front of it at Los Angeles airport.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:26pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in shades of gray, blue, and silver, depicting the towering forms of an airport terminal or control tower, capturing the grand scale and sleek design of air travel infrastructure.An investigation into a close call between a passenger jet and ground vehicles on a Los Angeles airport taxiway raises concerns about aviation safety protocols.Los Angeles Today

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident at Los Angeles International Airport where a Frontier Airlines jet narrowly avoided colliding with two vehicles that crossed in front of it on a taxiway. The close call comes just weeks after a deadly crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport where an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck while landing.

Why it matters

The incident at LAX highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety and the potential for collisions between aircraft and ground vehicles, especially in the wake of the recent deadly crash at LaGuardia. While such close calls on taxiways are not uncommon, the FAA will likely take a closer look at airport procedures and protocols to prevent these types of near-misses.

The details

According to audio recordings, the Frontier pilot was alarmed and used an expletive when telling the control tower that he had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision with the two vehicles that crossed in front of him on the taxiway around 11:25 PM on Wednesday. The FAA confirmed that several vehicles on a service road crossed in front of the slowly moving plane, but no one was injured in the incident.

  • The incident occurred around 11:25 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • It comes just weeks after the deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026.

The players

Frontier Airlines

The airline whose jet was involved in the close call at LAX.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that oversees aviation safety and is investigating the incident at LAX.

Steve Arroyo

A longtime United Airlines pilot and aviation safety expert who commented on the frequency of such incidents on airport taxiways.

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What they’re saying

“It was real close. The closest I have ever seen.”

— Frontier Pilot

“We thank our crew for their vigilance and professionalism.”

— Frontier Airlines

“Multiple incidents, accidents happening, just in March alone, I think it's time to put some serious eyes on what's going on on the ramp.”

— Steve Arroyo, Aviation Safety Expert, Former United Airlines Pilot

What’s next

The FAA will continue its investigation into the incident at LAX and examine airport procedures to prevent similar close calls between aircraft and ground vehicles.

The takeaway

This near-miss at LAX comes on the heels of the deadly crash at LaGuardia, raising renewed concerns about aviation safety and the need for stricter protocols to avoid collisions between planes and ground vehicles on airport taxiways and runways.