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FAA air traffic control staffing under scrutiny after deadly LaGuardia runway crash
A tragic incident unfolded at LaGuardia Airport when an Air Canada Express jet, upon landing on Runway 4, collided with a Port Authority fire truck just before midnight. The crash resulted in the deaths of two pilots and left numerous passengers injured. In the aftermath, air traffic control audio revealed a controller admitting fault, saying, “I messed up,” which has triggered an urgent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into the human factors, operational procedures, and runway safety protocols involved.
Meanwhile, a separate aviation scare occurred at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where two passenger jets nearly collided during their approach on Monday, leading to alerts and actions by federal investigators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that Republic Airways Flight 4464 had to execute a go-around maneuver after deviating from its approach path, bringing it dangerously close to Air Canada Express Flight 8554, which was cleared to land on a parallel runway.
During the incident, which took place around 2:35 p.m., both flight crews reacted promptly to onboard collision warnings, according to FAA officials.
The FAA has stated that the details are still preliminary, with the investigation into the near-miss continuing.
An aerial view shows John F. Kennedy International Airport near Terminal 7 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Republic Airways said the flight, operating as American Airlines Flight 4464, aborted its initial landing attempt and performed a go-around during its approach into JFK.
“During their approach into JFK, the crew…received a resolution advisory,” the airline said. “They complied with the advisory and, consistent with our training and procedures, executed a go-around to land without further incident.”
Air Canada said its flight from Toronto received a traffic warning and direction from air traffic control during its approach into JFK.
An Air Canada Express jet is seen on the runway as federal officials investigate a near miss involving one of the airline’s flights at JFK Airport. (Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“The crew took immediate action,” the airline said. “Safety is our top priority and our crews are well-trained to deal with many operational situations such as this.”
The airline added that the flight landed safely.
A go-around is a standard safety maneuver in which pilots abort a landing attempt and climb back into the air to reposition for another approach.
Southwest Airlines planes sit on the tarmac as federal officials investigate a recent near miss involving two of the carrier’s flights. (iStock)
The incident is the latest in a string of close calls involving commercial aircraft that have drawn scrutiny from federal regulators and lawmakers.
Over the weekend, the FAA said it was investigating a near miss involving Southwest Airlines flights after air traffic control directed two jets onto a potential collision course.
According to the FAA, the incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday as Southwest Flight 507 was approaching the airport and initiated a go-around.
The pilot then “received air traffic control instructions that put the flight in the path of another aircraft” that was departing from a parallel runway. The departing aircraft was identified as Southwest Flight 1152.
Both flight crews responded to onboard traffic alerts, the FAA said, helping the planes avoid a potential midair conflict.
No injuries were reported in either incident.