FAA Investigates Close Encounter Between Southwest Flight and LaGuardia Control Tower

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into a near-miss incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight and the air traffic control tower at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The incident, which occurred last month, saw Southwest Flight 147 from Nashville coming perilously close to the tower due to a deviation from its intended course amid adverse weather conditions.

The incident unfolded around 1 pm on March 23 as the aircraft, carrying 150 passengers and crew, was making its approach to land in challenging weather, including turbulence and low visibility. A first attempt at landing saw the plane circling the congested airport before making a dangerously low approach at an altitude of just 300 feet. This prompted a concerned air traffic controller to urgently instruct the pilots to perform a go-around maneuver, as captured in audio recordings from LiveATC.net.

The controller’s quick thinking and clear instructions directed the flight crew to abort the landing sequence and ascend to 2,000 feet after it became evident that the aircraft was misaligned with the runway. “He was not going to land on the runway,” the controller noted, emphasizing the severity of the situation and the immediate need for corrective action.

Following the incident, Southwest Flight 147 was diverted to Baltimore, where it landed safely. Southwest Airlines has acknowledged the incident, stating, “after encountering turbulence and low visibility at New York LaGuardia Airport,” the decision was made to divert the flight. The airline also confirmed that it is conducting an internal review of the event as part of its ongoing commitment to safety.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also aware of the near-miss and is monitoring the situation, although it has indicated that it does not intend to release any preliminary reports at this time.

This incident has heightened attention to the protocols and safety measures in place at busy airports, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and underscores the critical role of air traffic controllers in ensuring the safety of flight operations. As investigations by the FAA and the airline proceed, further details are expected to emerge, potentially leading to recommendations or changes aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, nypost.com