Hawaiian Airlines Flight 3, an Airbus 330, departed LAX at 12:48 p.m. It had been scheduled to depart at 10 a.m.

The pilot turned around after a cockpit light indicated a fuel valve was open. The plane had to circle the airport to burn off fuel before landing safely around 2:20 p.m.

Mechanics determined that the fuel valve was not open, despite the warning light. And a couple of hours later, after the equipment was checked out, the plane took off a second time, headed for Honolulu again.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez