Transponders that could have assisted in locating a fire truck that collided with an Air Canada jet at New York’s major airports will soon be installed on ground vehicles. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the implementation of trackers on fire trucks and rescue vehicles to provide air traffic controllers with precise location information by continuously transmitting signals to the control tower.
Following a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board last week regarding the collision at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, it was highlighted that transponders were absent. The incident involved an Air Canada jet colliding with a fire truck on the runway, resulting in the tragic deaths of two pilots, Mackenzie Gunther, 24, and Antoine Forest, 30, along with injuries to several others.
An air traffic controller had authorized the vehicle to cross the runway, as per the report, despite the truck passing red warning lights. The situation was exacerbated by heavy air traffic and an emergency involving another aircraft at that time. LaGuardia Airport is equipped with Airport Surface Detection Systems, such as ASDE-X, which utilize radar data, transponder information from planes and ground vehicles, and other data to display the location of each aircraft and vehicle to controllers in the tower. These systems also generate alerts in case of potential collisions.
The Federal Aviation Administration recommended the installation of transponders at major airports nationwide last May, offering financial assistance for the implementation. Many airports have since adopted this recommendation. The Port Authority has invested in safety technology for its airfield vehicles, enhancing tracking systems for vehicle movements and operator awareness across the airfield.
Apart from LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority oversees operations at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey. James Allen, the Port Authority’s chief communications officer, emphasized the importance of transponder technology for improved visibility and safety within airfield operations. The agency is committed to collaborating with the NTSB and FAA to enhance safety measures across their airfields.
The installation of transponders on ground vehicles is a proactive step towards enhancing safety protocols and preventing similar incidents in the future.