Turn Right Immediately Air China CA428

[Brian Noldt]

Air China CA428, a A320 Airbus, departed Hong Kong International Airport for Chengdu in China on Sunday when the pilot veered off the normal departure route and headed for the mountainous Lantau Island. The aircraft was at 3400 feet, the highest peak on the island is 3066 feet. A minimum safe altitude for the island is 4300 feet.
ATC issue a "Turn right immediately and expedite climb"

Story, flight path and ATC recording here:

http://news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/listen-to-the-moment-air-traffic-controllers-warn-a-pilot-he-is-about-to-hit-a-mountain/news-story/1d75cc65612a683eb5d93d339aa2e256

[MarkR]

Air China used to have a translator in the cockpit and they were not always familiar with aeronautical terms, not sure if its still the case. Native language rather than English is used in China itself.

I remember giving a clearance to one departing Sydney with a DME requirement, read back seemed hesitant so I questioned if their DME was operational, then asked if they had DME or distance measuring equipment. "We have a ruler" was the reply, needless to say I changed the clearance.