FAA is investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that flew close to the tower at LaGuardia Airport
Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that veered off course and flew close to the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport last month.
WASHINGTON — Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that veered off course and flew close to the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport last month.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that the plane flew off course due to bad weather as it approached for landing at the busy New York City airport.
After circling the airport once, the plane flew as low as 300 feet, according to data from Flightradar24.com. An air traffic controller — speaking in an unusually urgent tone — told the pilots to abandon their landing and climb to 2000 feet, according to audio captured by LiveATC.net.
The controller said the plane was not lined up with the runway; it appeared to be east of the intended landing route.
“He was not going to land on the runway,” the controller said.
Rating: 5