after fatal incident LaGuardia Airport runway collision In the incident that killed two pilots and injured dozens more, a key question emerged: Was there only one air traffic controller manning the tower at the time?
However, New York’s WNBC television station reported earlier Monday, citing two sources, that a controller in the tower was handling two positions at the time of the accident. US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has now refuted the claim, calling it “inaccurate”.
Duffy debunks ‘one controller’ rumor
Duffy confirmed at a news conference Monday afternoon that more than one air traffic controller was inside the LaGuardia Tower at the time of Sunday’s fatal collision.
He called suggestions that a single controller was working alone “inaccurate” and suggested the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident with Canadian partners, was aware of the tower’s staffing levels that night.
In the LiveATC audio, the same controller who moved the fire trucks across Runway 4 can then be heard giving go-around instructions to the approaching Delta flight.
Also read: LaGuardia Airport crash ‘completely avoidable’, experts blame FAA, controllers
Duffy also described LaGuardia as a “very staffed airport” but did not provide specific details about staffing that night and said the National Transportation Safety Board would handle the matter.
He said the tower was supposed to have 37 controllers, but currently there are 33, as well as seven trainees. He noted that trainees “have extensive experience in different facilities, but they have to be trained in this airspace,” a process that can take more than a year.
The controller said “I screwed up”
About 15 minutes after the collision, a Frontier Airlines pilot spoke to the controller via audio.
“That’s…that’s not pretty,” the pilot said.
“Yes, I know. I’m right here,” the controller replied. “We were dealing with an emergency earlier and then…I messed up.”
“No, man, you did your best,” the pilot replied.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said in a statement Monday, “Air traffic controllers work hard every day to ensure that passengers and cargo move safely and efficiently. We serve quietly, but moments like this remind us of the responsibility we carry and how much it impacts us when tragedy strikes.”
“NATCA has and will continue to support every possible measure to ensure that the United States maintains the best and safest air traffic control system in the world,” the alliance said Monday. “We will be a partner with the Administration and Congress in efforts to further modernize the air traffic control system to maximize safety and protect lives.”
Crash details
An Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-900 flight carrying 72 passengers and four crew members collided with a fire truck on the runway. The pilot and co-pilot died in the accident. FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said Monday that they were “two young men just starting their careers.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told the same meeting that the incident was an aviation disaster “the likes of which we have not seen here in thirty years.” Officials say LaGuardia Airport has not had a fatal accident in 34 years.
Two Port Authority workers on the fire truck were hospitalized with broken bones. One is expected to be released, while the other remains under observation.
The plane hit the truck at about 104 mph, with the nose taking most of the impact. Officials said a hit to the wing or fuel area could have caused a greater disaster.
