Smoke billows on LAX runway after flight aborts takeoff over ‘unstable nose wheel’

New York Post - Apr 13th, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident involving Hawaiian Airlines Flight 33, which safely aborted its takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport due to an 'unstable' nose wheel. The flight, bound for Kahului Airport in Hawaii, experienced a nose wheel vibration prompting the crew to return to the gate as a precaution. Passengers were deplaned without incident, and the issue was resolved by mechanics, allowing the flight to depart later that morning. Hawaiian Airlines, now part of Alaska Airlines, emphasized passenger safety and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the delay.

This incident adds to a series of safety concerns in commercial aviation this year, including a notable lawsuit filed against American Airlines by a passenger after a plane caught fire in March. The lawsuit alleges negligence and misconduct, claiming the flight crew was aware of engine problems yet proceeded without declaring an emergency. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in airline safety and maintenance, emphasizing the critical importance of stringent safety measures and protocols to ensure passenger well-being and operational integrity.

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Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a largely accurate and timely account of an aviation incident involving Hawaiian Airlines, focusing on the aborted takeoff due to an unstable nose wheel. It benefits from credible sources like the FAA and Hawaiian Airlines but could improve by including more diverse perspectives, such as passenger accounts or expert analysis. The article is clear and readable, though the inclusion of an unrelated American Airlines lawsuit could confuse readers. Overall, the story effectively informs about a relevant public interest topic, though it could enhance engagement and balance by broadening its scope and providing more context.

Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate, as it correctly reports the incident involving Hawaiian Airlines Flight 33 at Los Angeles International Airport. The story accurately details the aborted takeoff due to an unstable nose wheel, which aligns with the information from multiple sources. However, the claim about Hawaiian Airlines being acquired by Alaska Airlines is incorrect, as there is no verifiable evidence of such an acquisition. The article also mentions an unrelated incident involving an American Airlines flight, which could be misleading without clear differentiation from the main story.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the technical incident involving the Hawaiian Airlines flight, providing a detailed account from the airline's perspective. However, it lacks input from passengers or independent aviation experts, which could have provided a more rounded view of the incident. The inclusion of a separate American Airlines incident adds context but could divert attention from the main story, potentially impacting the balance.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in describing the incident, using straightforward language and a logical structure. However, the inclusion of the American Airlines lawsuit without clear separation from the main story could confuse readers. The article could benefit from clearer distinctions between the primary incident and additional context.

Source quality

The story cites the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Hawaiian Airlines as primary sources, which are credible and authoritative. However, the article relies heavily on a statement from Hawaiian Airlines and does not include independent verification from other aviation experts or sources. The mention of a lawsuit involving American Airlines is attributed to court documents, which adds to the reliability, but the connection to the main story is tenuous.

Transparency

The article provides clear information regarding the incident's timing and location. However, it lacks transparency in explaining how the information was gathered and does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The mention of Hawaiian Airlines' acquisition by Alaska Airlines is presented without evidence or further context, which affects transparency.