Pilot reports 'guy in jetpack' flying near plane in Los Angeles

A pilot landing an American Airlines jet at LAX reported a bizarre and close encounter.
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
LOS ANGELES, California -- A pilot landing an American Airlines jet at Los Angeles International Airport reported a bizarre and close encounter Sunday night.

The pilot called air traffic control to report a man wearing a jetpack flying near the plane.
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Tower tapes released detail the pilot's exchange.

Pilot: "Tower, American 1997, we just passed a guy in a jetpack."

Tower: "American 1997, OK, thank you. Were they off to your left or right side?"

Pilot: "Off the left side, maybe 300 yards or so, about our altitude."

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The jet was flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet at the time of the encounter.



The tower then warned other approaching flights to be on the lookout for a man in the jetpack.

The incident is under investigation.
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