An American Airlines flight departing Hawaii was hastily ordered to make an “expedited climb” to avoid crashing into mountainous terrain on Wednesday.

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.

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.