{"id":157525,"date":"2026-09-14T01:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T19:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=157525"},"modified":"2026-09-13T22:37:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T17:07:40","slug":"united-boeing-787-pilots-takes-wrong-turn-after-los-angeles-takeoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/14\/united-boeing-787-pilots-takes-wrong-turn-after-los-angeles-takeoff\/","title":{"rendered":"United Boeing 787 Pilots Takes Wrong Turn After Los Angeles Takeoff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LOS ANGELES-<\/strong> United Airlines (UA)<\/a> Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration N24974, operating flight UA923 from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), was involved in a departure deviation shortly after takeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United 923 was cleared for takeoff from LAX Runway 25R with an RNAV departure. The aircraft initially turned north instead of following the expected westbound routing, prompting air traffic control to issue an immediate heading correction and later advise the crew of a possible pilot deviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

United Boeing 787-9 Deviates From LAX Departure Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

United Airlines (UA) Flight UA923, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered N24974, departed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)<\/a> for London Heathrow Airport (LHR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft was cleared for takeoff from Runway 25R under the RNAV Docker departure procedure. After becoming airborne, the Boeing 787-9<\/a> did not follow the expected routing and instead turned northbound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unexpected turn took the aircraft across the departure corridors associated with LAX’s two northern runways. Air traffic control quickly identified the deviation and instructed the crew to correct its heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Rohan | A7-BAJ <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ATC Orders Immediate Heading Correction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At approximately 10 seconds into the recorded exchange, the tower controller cleared United 923 for takeoff on Runway 25R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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United 923, RNAV Docker, runway 25R, cleared for takeoff.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The crew correctly read back the clearance and began the departure. Shortly afterward, the tower controller issued an urgent instruction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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United 923, turn left now, heading 251, turn left now.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The crew acknowledged the instruction and apologized, explaining that there had been an issue with the aircraft’s flight management computer (FMC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Left 251, United 923, roger, sorry, the FMC got messed up.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Boeing 787-9 then continued under the corrected heading before being handed over to the departure controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: JFK Spotting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Crew Acknowledges the Deviation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

United 923 contacted the Southern California departure controller after passing approximately 2,500 feet and reported its assigned heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The controller established radar contact and instructed the aircraft to climb to 5,000 feet. The flight was subsequently cleared direct to Malibu and instructed to climb to 7,000 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crew acknowledged the revised routing and altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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