Harrison Ford had a close call with an airliner after making a mistake landing his plane at a California airport, according to US media.

The incident reportedly happened after the actor aimed his single-engined plane for a taxiway instead of the runway at John Wayne Airport.

He passed over an American Airlines Boeing 737 preparing for take off with 110 passengers on board, NBC News reported.

Ford is said to have been recorded asking air traffic controllers: "Was that airliner meant to be underneath me?"

Image: Ford was praised for crash-landing on a golf course in 2015

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating but has not commented on the pilot's identity.


"Air traffic controllers cleared the pilot of a single-engine Aviat Husky to land on Runway 20L at John Wayne Airport Monday afternoon," said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.

"The pilot correctly read back the clearance. The pilot then landed on a taxiway that runs parallel to the runway, overflying a Boeing 737 that was holding short of the runway."

Image: The actor is an experience pilot

The American Airlines jet departed safely for Dallas, but Ford could face action - from a warning letter to a suspension - if he is found to be at fault.

His representatives have yet to comment on the reports.

The 74-year-old is an experienced pilot and has been involved in several dramatic incidents.

In March 2015 he broke his arm and suffered head injuries after crash-landing a plane on a Santa Monica golf course.

The WWII-era aircraft lost power about a minute after take off.

Image: Ford broke his leg while filming The Force Awakens

Clipping a tree as he brought the plane down, Ford managed to land on the fairway and was praised for avoiding residential areas.

In 1999, he had to ditch his helicopter in a riverbed during a flying lesson and two years later - again in a helicopter - he rescued a scout lost in Wyoming.

And in 2014, while filming Star Wars:The Force Awakens, he broke his leg after being crushed by the hydraulic door of the Millennium Falcon.