Share and Follow
FAA air traffic control staffing under scrutiny after deadly LaGuardia runway crash
Fox News reports a tragic incident at LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck upon landing on Runway 4, just before midnight. This unfortunate accident resulted in the deaths of two pilots and left numerous passengers injured. Audio from air traffic control revealed a controller admitting a mistake, which has led to an urgent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into human factors, operational procedures, and runway safety protocols.
Meanwhile, there was a near-miss at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Monday. Flight tracking data indicates that two planes came alarmingly close, within approximately 500 feet vertically of each other, during their approach.
This incident occurred just a day after another aircraft hit a light pole and damaged a bakery truck while landing in New Jersey, highlighting a recent trend of aviation close calls.
Audio from JFK’s air traffic control revealed that a controller warned the pilot of a Delta flight, operated by Endeavor Air, about a smaller aircraft flying less than 500 feet above them, as reported by ABC7.
According to Flightradar24 data cited by ABC7, the two planes had a vertical separation of about 475 feet when their paths crossed. The Endeavor aircraft was at an altitude of roughly 2,100 feet, while the Cirrus plane was at approximately 2,575 feet.
A Delta Connection flight operated by Endeavor Air and a small aircraft came within roughly 500 feet vertically while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, according to flight-tracking data cited by local reports. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Federal Aviation Administration said Endeavor Air Flight 5289 was on final approach to Runway 22L around 5:15 p.m. Monday when a Cirrus SR22 crossed overhead while preparing to land on Runway 22R.
“Air traffic control provided traffic advisories to both pilots, and each reported the other in sight,” the FAA said. “The required separation was maintained.”Â
The Endeavor pilot told controllers the flight crew received a traffic advisory, followed by a resolution advisory from the aircraft’s collision avoidance system, ABC7 reported.
A commercial airplane approaches John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Audio captured the exchange between controllers and the flight crew.
“Endeavor 5289 yeah I’m not talking to him. He’s 500 feet above you now left to right half a mile in front of you,” a controller said, according to the report.
“And tower Endeavor 5289 he just flew about 500 feet right over so looks like he’s taking a left turn now,” the pilot responded.
The international terminal, train, and control tower are visible at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. (Skyhobo/Getty Images)
Monday’s incident is the latest in a series of close calls that have drawn increased scrutiny from federal regulators and lawmakers.
On Sunday, a United Airlines flight traveling from Venice, Italy, to Newark Liberty International Airport struck a light pole and damaged a bakery truck during its descent around 2 p.m. The 221 passengers and 10 crew members aboard were not injured, and the plane landed safely.
JFK also experienced a close call last month when two passenger jets came too close on approach, triggering onboard collision warnings and a federal investigation.
In that incident, the FAA said Republic Airways Flight 4464 performed a go-around after missing its approach path and flying too close to Air Canada Express Flight 8554, which had been cleared to land on a parallel runway.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FAA, Delta and Cirrus for comment.
<!–>
–>