Republic Airways Crew Contacts Wrong Tower Near LaGuardia, Just Days Before Fatal Crash at Same Airport

A Republic Airways flight operating as a Delta Connection route made an unusual air traffic control error earlier this month when pilots mistakenly contacted the wrong New York control tower while preparing to land at LaGuardia Airport, according to reports and audio recordings of the incident, as reported by The New York Post.

Delta Connection Flight 5752, operated by Republic Airways, was approaching LaGuardia Airport on March 15 after departing from Washington, D.C., when the crew reached out to the air traffic control tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport instead.

The two airports are located approximately 10 miles apart.

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Audio obtained from air traffic control communications captured the confusion as the pilots attempted to coordinate their landing.

The pilot initiated contact by saying, “Brickyard 5752, LaGuardia Tower,” despite being connected to the wrong facility.

The controller at JFK responded with uncertainty, asking, “Brickyard 5752. I’m sorry, where are you?”

“2-mile final, Brickyard 5752,” the pilot replied, indicating the aircraft was on its final approach.

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The controller sought clarification, asking, “2-mile final where?”

“Runway 4,” the pilot answered.

“At LaGuardia?” the controller asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” the pilot confirmed.

The exchange prompted the JFK controller to correct the situation quickly, stating, “This is Kennedy Tower, please go to LaGuardia Tower.”

Realizing the mistake, the pilot responded, “Oh my goodness. Alright,” while another pilot could be heard reacting with, “That’s crazy.”

According to a spokesperson for Republic Airways, the flight crew initiated a go-around maneuver following the communication error and ultimately landed safely at LaGuardia Airport without incident.

Delta Air Lines confirmed that its own flight crew was not aboard the aircraft, as the flight was operated by Republic Airways under the Delta Connection brand.

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