Monday, May 19, 2025
A potentially disastrous event was narrowly avoided at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on the morning of May 6, 2025, when an American Airlines flight was given clearance to take off from a runway that was still occupied by a United Airlines aircraft. This incident highlights glaring weaknesses in the air traffic control (ATC) protocols at one of the busiest airports in the United States, underscoring the urgent need for reform in air traffic management.
Incident Breakdown
At around 12:30 AM, United Airlines Flight UA2657, a Boeing 737-800, arrived at LaGuardia Airport from Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Upon landing, the flight was instructed to taxi along Runway 13 and exit at a designated taxiway. However, the flight missed its intended exit and was rerouted by ground control to another taxiway, all while still occupying the active runway.
Simultaneously, American Eagle Flight AA4736, an Embraer E175, was preparing for departure to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). The American Eagle flight was cleared to line up and wait on Runway 13, unaware that it was still shared with the United Airlines aircraft.
As the American Eagle flight began its takeoff roll, the tower controller mistakenly issued takeoff clearance without confirming the exact position of United Airlines on the runway. The resulting situation created a serious risk of collision, with both planes potentially occupying the same runway.
Systemic Flaws Exposed in Air Traffic Control Procedures
This incident uncovered fundamental flaws in the way air traffic control is handled at LaGuardia, specifically in how runway operations are managed. The primary issue was the separation of responsibilities between tower and ground controllers, with each operating on different radio frequencies. After United Airlines missed its exit, control was handed to ground operations, but the tower controller was not fully updated on the aircraft’s position on the runway.
In many other countries, once an aircraft enters an active runway, the tower assumes complete control until the aircraft has fully exited. This system ensures better situational awareness, preventing confusion and miscommunication. However, at LaGuardia, the breakdown in coordination between tower and ground controllers significantly increased the risk of a dangerous situation.
Communication Failures Escalate the Threat
The communication breakdown only worsened the situation. As the American Eagle flight was cleared for takeoff, a pilot from a different airline was broadcasting on the same radio frequency, blocking vital communication between the controller and the American Eagle pilots. This interference delayed the critical warning from the controller, preventing the takeoff clearance from being retracted promptly.
By the time the controller realized the potential danger and ordered the American Eagle flight to abort the takeoff, the aircraft had already accelerated past 100 knots, a point where stopping would be extremely risky. The controller later acknowledged that they had assumed the United Airlines aircraft had already vacated the runway, relying on their judgment rather than confirming the aircraft’s precise location with radar.
The Call for Immediate Reform
This close call is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of broader systemic issues within the U.S. air traffic control system. To prevent future incidents of this nature, it is crucial for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address these vulnerabilities in air traffic management. One key reform could be to ensure that all runway operations, including those of both tower and ground controllers, occur on a unified frequency. This would eliminate confusion and provide more accurate, real-time coordination.
Furthermore, it is essential to update the technology used by controllers to improve communication efficiency. Upgrading the communication systems to eliminate overlapping transmissions and ensure clear, uninterrupted exchanges between controllers and pilots could be a game-changer in preventing future near-misses.
The near-miss at LaGuardia Airport serves as a stark reminder of the critical flaws within the current U.S. air traffic control system. The miscommunication and fragmented control between tower and ground operations nearly resulted in a catastrophic outcome. To ensure the continued safety of air travel, the FAA must take swift action to streamline coordination, improve technological systems, and enforce better communication protocols. Only through these reforms can the risks of future runway incursions be mitigated, and the safety of passengers and aircrews be assured.
