Another close call between two aircraft has been reported at New York City's LaGuardia Airport, despite the presence of the Airport Surface Detection System designed to prevent such incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating this recent event.
On May 6, an American Eagle Embraer E175, operating as flight AA4736 by Republic Airways, and a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 on flight UA2657 came dangerously close on the runway. According to ABC7 Chicago, the American Eagle jet was initially cleared for takeoff but was suddenly instructed to abort because the United Airlines plane was taxiing on the same runway.
Reports indicate that while one air traffic controller directed the American Eagle plane for takeoff, another ground controller on a different frequency instructed the United plane to move to a new taxiway after missing its original exit point. An audio recording obtained by ABC highlights a surprised air traffic controller who stated: “Brickyard 4736 sorry about that, I thought United had cleared well before that. Just stay there for the moment and I got to get the other United off the way.”