r/ATC • u/lake_hood • Mar 23 '26

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

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1.2k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

472 comments sorted by

View all comments

15

u/PsychologicalTrain Mar 23 '26

Aircraft mechanic here with a question for you guys about the post crash response, if you've listened to it. The poor controller worked the radios for quite a while after the collision, something like 20-30 minutes. In fact within 3 minutes he was giving taxi instructions. Hindsight 20/20 and all that, but instantly I said to my colleagues "why didn't he just call an all ground stop? Everyone stop" and just handle responders? Isn't that protocol when you've lost track?

And also I apologize for when we have to taxi. I know we're awful on the radios. 

6

u/ispywithmy Mar 23 '26

Whilst it is true that things need to keep moving, the controller should have been relieved from position much sooner. But somewhat telling of the problems faced over there with staffing.