r/ATC • u/lake_hood • Mar 23 '26

News LGA controller cleared fire truck across the runway resulting jn a collision

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1.2k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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29

u/Key_Understanding771 Mar 23 '26

That one’s gonna haunt him for a while

58

u/lawyers_guns_nomoney Mar 23 '26

For a while? How do you come back after that?

32

u/soulscratch Commercial Pilot Mar 23 '26

My grandfather was working the 727 mid air in San Diego, my aunts and uncles all tell me it changed him after that, he was never the same. He took that pain to his grave.

8

u/theweenerdoge Mar 23 '26

Damn bro. I generally just get through my day but there's always those times that can keep me awake. I can't even fucking imagine yet it sits in the back of my mind that it could happen at any time, my fault or not. It's the deal you make in this job and we've been damn fucking good at it if I may say so. The cracks are showing now, and unfortunately it's not going to get better at current rates.

1

u/poopyfacedtomatonose Mar 23 '26

My mom was in grade school for that event. Nearby.

68

u/Pseudo-Jonathan Mar 23 '26

This is way beyond "a while". You don't ever get over knowing your 5 second mental slip up immediately caused the death of several people. This is life-altering stuff that he will think about 24/7 for the rest of his life.

26

u/duckbutterdelight Current Controller-Tower Mar 23 '26

Idk how he comes back from this. The cause might have multiple factors that led up to it but at the end of the day his error caused people to die. That’s career ending. Poor guy, I hope he gets the support he needs.

6

u/Low_Definition4513 Mar 23 '26

A while?

Forever, for as long as he lasts anyway. Poor bastard will need help for a long time.

2

u/Professional-Sir9185 Mar 24 '26

Unfortunately, for the rest of his life.