A close call between two planes at LaGuardia Airport has triggered a federal probe, according to multiple reports. Miscommunication between air traffic controllers nearly caused a collision on May 6. A Republic Airways jet, cleared for takeoff, sped toward a United Airlines plane still taxiing across the runway, with the jet aborting takeoff to avoid disaster.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigations Monday to uncover the cause and bolster safety.
Tower audio, obtained by ABC via LiveATC, revealed a controller's error. "Sorry, I thought United had cleared well before that," the controller said. A tower controller directed the Republic Airways jet to take off. Meanwhile, a ground controller, on a separate frequency, told the United plane to switch taxiways after missing its exit. This miscommunication led to the near-collision, the Associated Press reported.
LaGuardia uses the FAA's advanced ASDE-X radar system, designed to prevent runway incursions. Only 35 U.S. airports have this technology. Yet, runway incidents remain steady at 30 per 1 million takeoffs and landings. Most U.S. airports -- 490 in total -- rely on standard control towers.
Controllers there use outdated tools like binoculars. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is pushing for a multibillion-dollar upgrade, criticizing the "copper wire and floppy disks" in current systems. LaGuardia plans to add safety measures to prevent future incidents.
Airport Safety Called Into Question
This incident follows other near-misses at major airports. Newark Liberty International Airport faced system outages recently. Aging technology from Philadelphia reportedly caused the disruptions.
In February, an American Airlines flight at Ronald Reagan National Airport aborted its landing. Another plane was taking off on the same runway.
The LaGuardia scare highlights the need for modern air traffic control systems, those in the industry have said. Either way, federal investigators are now scrutinizing the incident. Congress faces growing pressure to fund infrastructure upgrades. These changes aim to ensure passenger safety and prevent future close calls.
