The Federal Aviation Administration says an air traffic controller’s instructions kept an American Airlines flight from hitting mountains near Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii.

An American Airlines flight had to "perform an expedited climb" in order to avoid a mountain during a routine departure out of Hawaii on Wednesday. The plane had just departed from Honolulu International Airport and was on its way to Los Angeles International Airport.

An air traffic controller is being praised for his quick actions and ensuring an American Airlines flight didn’t hit a mountain just moments after takeoff. The flight was leaving Honolulu and headed to Los Angeles Wednesday when an air traffic controller stepped in after the pilot did not make an assigned turn.