Federal Officials Investigate Close Call at LaGuardia Airport
Federal aviation officials are currently investigating a recent incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport where two planes came dangerously close on the runway. The incident occurred earlier this month, despite the airport being equipped with advanced surface radar technology designed to prevent such close calls.
The Incident
On May 6, a Republic Airways jet had to abort its takeoff when a United Airlines plane was still taxiing across the runway. In audio obtained from the tower, the air traffic controller can be heard apologizing for the mistake, saying, “Sorry, I thought United had cleared well before that. ” The controller was directing the Republic Airways jet to takeoff while a ground controller was directing the United plane to a new taxiway after it missed its initial exit.
Investigations and Concerns
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. This is just one of many close calls that have raised concerns among safety experts. In February 2023, the NTSB investigated a similar incident in Austin, Texas. There have also been other high-profile near-misses, including one where a Southwest Airlines jet narrowly avoided colliding with a business jet on the runway.
Technology to Prevent Incursions
LaGuardia is one of only 35 airports in the country equipped with the FAA’s most advanced technology, called the Airport Surface Detection Equipment-Model X (ASDE-X). This system uses various technologies to track planes and vehicles on the ground, helping controllers to prevent runway incursions. However, the technology is not perfect, and close calls continue to happen. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to expand this technology to more airports if Congress approves his multi-billion-dollar plan to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system.
Efforts to Reduce Incidents
In addition to ASDE-X, the FAA is taking other steps to reduce the number of runway incursions. They are also planning to install an additional warning system at LaGuardia in the future. However, despite these efforts, the rate of incursions has remained steady at around 30 per million takeoffs and landings for the past decade. While there are fewer than 20 serious incursions each year, the FAA is working on a system to warn pilots directly about traffic on the runway, potentially saving valuable time in emergency situations.
Conclusion
The incident at LaGuardia Airport highlights the importance of using advanced technology to prevent runway incursions. However, with advancements come potential flaws, and the FAA is continuously working to improve safety measures and prevent future incidents. As the aviation industry continues to grow, it is crucial to prioritize safety and invest in modern technology to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.