‘Please do something’: Concerns raised about LaGuardia safety before fatal runway collision

Key Points:

• Pilots have reported multiple safety concerns at LaGuardia Airport over the past two years, including miscommunication and air traffic control errors, according to a CNN review of NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System.
• A recent fatal collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck on a LaGuardia runway was linked to an air traffic controller’s error, who admitted to being distracted by a prior emergency.
• Previous incidents at LaGuardia include a taxiway collision between two Delta regional jets in October 2024 and multiple near misses caused by unclear or incorrect air traffic control instructions.
• The reports highlight ongoing challenges at LaGuardia amid increasing operational pace, understaffing, and the airport’s status as one of the busiest in the U.S., raising concerns about potential risks of serious accidents.
• Similar safety issues related to understaffing and near misses have been reported at other major airports, reflecting broader systemic challenges in air traffic control nationwide.