Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, Delta Flight 1605 landed on Runway 25L at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). After crossing Runway 25R, the local controller instructed the flight to contact ground control. The ground controller then directed the flight to turn west on the outer taxiway. However, the captain became disoriented and inadvertently reentered Runway 25R.
Sequence of Events
The captain immediately realized the mistake and executed a 180-degree turn to exit the runway. At that time, United Airlines Flight 14, a DC-10, had already begun its takeoff roll on Runway 25R. The captain of United Flight 14 elected to continue the takeoff, rotated, and began climbing. The United aircraft crossed over Delta Flight 1605 at approximately 200 feet above ground level.
Contributing Factors
The Delta captain reported that due to heavy construction in the terminal area, he became disoriented even though he had flown into LAX for many years. He also stated that the Runway 25R sign was not visible. Investigators later found that the sign had been blown over. The first officer reported that while the captain was taxiing the aircraft, he was busy completing the after-landing checklist.
Aftermath
No collision or injuries were reported. The incident highlighted the risks of runway incursions and the importance of crew coordination during taxi operations.