Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Getty Images
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will install tracking devices on airport vehicles at New York City's three major airports following a fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport. The decision comes after the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the March 22 collision between an Air Canada Express jet and a Port Authority fire truck, which resulted in the deaths of the plane's two pilots.
According to the NTSB report, the airport's ground surveillance system, known as Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X), failed to generate an alert due to the absence of a tracking device on the fire truck. This system is designed to prevent such accidents by providing audio and visual alerts to air traffic controllers. The NTSB highlighted the lack of tracking devices as a critical issue that contributed to the crash.
The Port Authority had previously tested these tracking devices at Newark Liberty International Airport in 2025, but they had not been widely implemented. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued updated guidance on using these transponders, prompting the tests. Now, the Port Authority plans to expand their use across all three airports to enhance safety.
James Allen, a communications officer for the Port Authority, confirmed that the organization has made targeted investments in safety technology for its Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and other airfield vehicles. "We will be expanding that capability across our airports, building on the technology already in place," Allen stated.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the Port Authority working closely with the NTSB and the FAA to strengthen safety measures across airfield operations. The implementation of tracking devices is seen as a crucial step in preventing similar accidents in the future.
Photo Credit: Getty Images