Transponders that could have aided in locating a fire truck involved in a collision with an Air Canada aircraft at a New York airport are set to be installed on ground vehicles at the region’s three main airports. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Tuesday that these trackers will be equipped on fire trucks and rescue vehicles to provide air traffic controllers with precise real-time information about their movements by continuously transmitting signals to the control tower.
The National Transportation Safety Board highlighted the absence of transponders in a preliminary report released last week concerning the incident at LaGuardia Airport on March 22. The collision between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck on the runway resulted in the tragic deaths of the two pilots, Mackenzie Gunther, 24, and Antoine Forest, 30, as well as injuries to several individuals.
Reports indicate that an air traffic controller had authorized the vehicle to cross the runway, but the truck proceeded past red warning lights. The situation was further complicated by heavy air traffic and an ongoing emergency involving another plane at that time.
LaGuardia Airport is among the 35 airports equipped with Airport Surface Detection Systems, known as ASDE-X, which integrate radar data with transponder information from airplanes and ground vehicles to provide controllers with a comprehensive view of aircraft and vehicle positions on the airfield. Additionally, the system is designed to issue alerts in the control tower in case of potential collision risks.
Last May, the Federal Aviation Administration recommended the installation of transponders at major airports nationwide and offered financial assistance for implementation. Many airports have already taken steps to comply with this recommendation.
James Allen, the Chief Communications Officer of the Port Authority, mentioned that the agency has made strategic investments in safety technology for its airfield vehicles, including systems for monitoring and enhancing operator awareness across the airfield. In addition to LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority oversees operations at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey.
Allen emphasized the value of transponder technology in enhancing visibility and safety within airfield operations. The agency remains committed to collaborating with the NTSB and the FAA to reinforce safety measures across its airfield facilities.