LaGuardia Airport Near-Miss Incident Under Investigation

News Summary

A near-miss incident involving a Republic Airways jet at LaGuardia Airport is under federal investigation after an aborted takeoff. The jet was cleared for takeoff while another aircraft remained on the runway, leading to discomfort among passengers. Miscommunication among air traffic controllers is believed to be a key factor. Both the FAA and NTSB are looking into the circumstances, as the airport faces scrutiny regarding runway safety and the efficiency of its technology. Passengers expressed dissatisfaction with customer service following the incident.

New York — A near-miss incident at LaGuardia Airport is now under federal investigation following an aborted takeoff involving a Republic Airways jet operating as American Eagle flight AA4736. The incident occurred early on May 6 at approximately 12:35 a.m. A United Airlines plane, flight UA2657, was still on the runway when the Republic Airways flight was cleared for takeoff.

The abrupt halt of flight AA4736 forced passengers to brace for impact, resulting in discomfort for many. One passenger, Renee Hoffer, reported experiencing neck pain and numbness in her left arm, necessitating a visit to the emergency room after the incident. Hoffer described the sudden stop as intense, comparing its severity to a car accident.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the near-miss. Preliminary audio evidence from the air traffic control tower revealed miscommunication. An air traffic controller expressed regret, stating he believed the United Airlines plane had already cleared the runway.

During this critical incident, the Republic Airways flight was given takeoff clearance simultaneously while a ground controller on a separate radio frequency was redirecting the United Airlines flight after it missed its assigned taxiway. The overlap in communication appeared to be a crucial factor in the chaos that unfolded.

In the aftermath, passengers encountered issues with customer service at LaGuardia. Hoffer mentioned that airline gate agents denied requests for hotel vouchers, attributing the situation to weather problems. However, Hoffer, along with other passengers, provided evidence that indicated the presence of the United Airlines aircraft on the runway.

The FAA has yet to respond to Hoffer’s complaints while she continues to deal with medical issues linked to the incident. This alarming near-miss has happened during a period of increased scrutiny of runway safety across the United States, especially in light of previous incidents involving close calls on runways nationwide.

LaGuardia Airport is equipped with an advanced surface detection radar system known as ASDS-X, which is intended to prevent runway incursions. Despite this, the airport and others have experienced a stable rate of around 30 runway incursions for every million takeoffs and landings in the last decade. The FAA is currently assessing additional technological upgrades and plans to introduce a new warning system at LaGuardia to bolster safety measures.

In contrast, many other airports across the United States have not yet upgraded to modern technologies and continue to rely on outdated systems, such as binoculars, due to the prohibitive costs associated with renewing infrastructure. Of the 490 U.S. airports with control towers, only 35 utilize modern radar technology.

To address these concerns, the FAA is pushing for a modernization of air traffic control systems through a multibillion-dollar initiative that awaits Congressional approval. FAA statistics indicate fluctuations in the number of serious runway incursions, where accidents were narrowly avoided. In 2023, there were 22 serious incidents documented, which decreased to only 7 in the subsequent year.

A historical perspective on the potential dangers of runway incursions can be drawn from the Tenerife disaster in 1977, where a collision between two aircraft resulted in the deaths of 583 individuals, underscoring the critical importance of precise communication and safety protocols in aviation.

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