FAA air traffic control workers under scrutiny after fatal LaGuardia runway crash
Fox News is covering the runway collision at LaGuardia Airport where an Air Canada Express flight landed on Runway 4 and collided with a Port Authority fire truck just before midnight. The crash killed two pilots and injured a number of passengers. Air traffic control audio captures the controller admitting “I messed up,” prompting an urgent NTSB investigation into human factors, operating procedures, and road safety regulations.
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Two planes collided as they approached John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Monday, with flight tracking data reportedly showing they landed within about 500 meters of each other.
The incident came one day after a separate plane struck a utility pole and damaged a bakery truck during a landing in New Jersey, marking the latest in a series of high-flying calls.
Air traffic control audio shows a controller at JFK alerting the pilot of Delta Air Lines, operated by subsidiary Endeavor Air, of a small plane flying less than 500 feet above him, according to ABC7.
Data from Flightradar24 cited by ABC7 it shows that the planes were separated by about 475 meters in altitude as their paths crossed. The Endeavor flight was about 2,100 feet, while the Cirrus flight was about 2,575 feet.
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A Delta Connection flight operated by Endeavor Air and a small plane came down about 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 pm Monday when the Cirrus SR22 crashed while preparing to land on Runway 22R.
“Air traffic control issued traffic advisories to the pilots, and each reported sightings to the other,” the FAA said. “The necessary separation was maintained.”
The Endeavor pilot told controllers that the flight crew received a traffic advisory, which was followed by a decision from the plane’s collision avoidance system, ABC7 reported.
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A commercial airliner approaches John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Audio captured the exchange between the controllers and the flight crew.
“Endeavor 5289 yes I’m not talking to him. He’s 500 feet above you now left to right half a mile in front of you,” the controller said, according to the report.
“And the tower Endeavor 5289 just flew about 500 feet right where it looks like it’s turning left now,” the pilot replied.
THE INQUIRY BEGAN AFTER AN AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT REPORTED A STRANGE GREEN LIGHT ON LAND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND.
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 regulators and lawmakers.
On Sunday, a United Airlines flight from Venice, Italy, to Newark Liberty International Airport hit a power pole and damaged a bakery truck while landing around 2:00 a.m. The 221 passengers and 10 crew members on board were not injured, and the plane landed safely.
JFK also had a close call last month when two passenger jets came too close together, prompting collision warnings and a federal investigation.
In that incident, the FAA said Republic Airways Flight 4464 made a go-around after losing its path and flying too close to Air Canada Express Flight 8554, which was cleared to land on the same runway.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the FAA, Delta and Cirrus for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.
