BREAKING: Harrowing Audio Unveils Mayhem at Newark Airport as Air Traffic Control Loses Contact with Planes
Air Traffic Control audio revealed disruptions and delays at Newark Airport.
The audio from air traffic control at Newark Liberty International Airport paint a chaotic picture, revealing a temporary loss of communication with planes on April 28. This outage led to widespread flight delays and cancellations. (LIVEATC.NET)
Initially, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributed the delays and cancellations to staffing shortages, inclement weather, and construction. However, an FAA statement later admitted, "Our antiquated air traffic control system is affecting our workforce." (Secretary Duffy, X)
The new FAA chief, Sean Duffy, criticized the previous administration for not addressing these issues, stating, "We're working day and night to overhaul it." (Secretary Duffy, X)
Flights are experiencing an average delay of two hours and 41 minutes due to these disruptions, according to an advisory. However, arrivals were unaffected, as confirmed by an FAA spokeswoman to FOX Business.
NEW JERSEY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STRUGGLE TO CONNECT WITH PLANES FOR OVER A MINUTE
Recently released air traffic control audio reveals the heart-stopping moment when radar and radio communication between planes and controllers at Newark Airport was lost for over a minute, causing a flurry of confusion.
"United 674, radar contact lost, we lost our radar. Just stay on the arrival and maintain 6,000," an air traffic controller said at 9:53 a.m.
"All right, we'll stay on arrival and keep 6,000," the pilot responded.
Minutes later, the pilot returned to the radio, seeking a new clearance. "OK, do you want me to squawk VFR for four-tango pop and do I have bravo-clearance?" the pilot asked at 9:56 a.m.
Controllers were likewise grappling with the system failure. "No, you do not have a bravo-clearance. We lost our radar and it's not working correctly. Radar service terminates, squawk for VFR, freeze change approved. If you want a bravo-clearance, just call the tower. It's going to get closer," the air traffic controller said.
THE PILOT STRUGGLES TO RECONNECT
The pilot then decided to wait for a radio frequency from the tower before prompting the air traffic controller to respond with, "OK, no. squawk VFR. Look up the tower frequencies, and we don't have a radar, so I don't know where you are."
The struggles didn't end there. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by air traffic control during technology malfunctions.
Fox News' Courtney De George and Jeremy Copas contributed to this report.
- The incident at Newark Liberty International Airport on April 28 resulted in a temporary loss of communication between planes and air traffic control, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially attributed the delays to staffing shortages, inclement weather, and construction, but later admitted that their outdated air traffic control system was part of the problem.
- New Jersey air traffic controllers struggled to connect with planes for over a minute, as revealed by recently released air traffic control audio from Newark Airport.
- The new FAA chief, Sean Duffy, criticized the previous administration for not addressing these system issues, and stated that they are working to overhaul the system.
- Flights are currently experiencing an average delay of two hours and 41 minutes due to these disruptions, while arrivals were unaffected.
- This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the aviation industry, especially when technology malfunctions occur, and highlights the need for policy-and-legislation changes in the politics of transportation and finance.
