Key Takeaways
• On May 6, 2025, American Airlines and United Airlines planes nearly collided at LaGuardia Airport due to communication errors.
• Automated safety systems alerted controllers, preventing disaster; American Eagle Flight AA4736 was forced to cancel its Buffalo trip.
• FAA launched investigations; experts stress investment in technology and training is crucial for congested airports like LaGuardia.
In the early hours of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, a critical safety incident unfolded at New York’s LaGuardia Airport involving planes from American Airlines and United Airlines. Both airlines are among the largest in the United States, serving millions of passengers each year. The close call at LaGuardia Airport (also known as LGA) has shone a spotlight on air traffic control operations and airport safety, raising urgent questions about how crowded airports manage plane movements and avoid possible tragedies.
What Happened at LaGuardia Airport?
The near-miss took place at around 12:30 AM local time, a time when the airport is quieter but not free from risk. At the center of the incident were two commercial aircraft:
- United Airlines Flight UA2657: This was a Boeing 737-800 that had just landed in New York from Houston.
– American Eagle Flight AA4736: This plane, an Embraer E175 operated by Republic Airways, was scheduled to fly to Buffalo but was running hours late.
Both aircraft found themselves on the same runway almost at the same time—something that should never happen. Let’s break down the series of events leading up to the close call, based on the available record.
Step-by-Step Account of the Incident
- United’s Arrival and Taxi Instructions: After landing, United Airlines Flight UA2657 was on its way to the gate. The control tower told the pilots to stop before the start of runway 13.
- New Taxi Orders: Shortly after, UA2657 was cleared to roll down runway 13 and turn off at a specific taxiway. However, the pilots did not exit at the intended point and had to wait for new directions.
- American Eagle’s Line-Up: Meanwhile, the same runway was being cleared for American Eagle Flight AA4736. The tower allowed the smaller jet to move into position at the end of the runway and wait for takeoff.
- Takeoff Clearance Error: Somehow, at the same time another pilot was speaking over the radio (“stepping” or accidentally covering another message), American Eagle AA4736 received takeoff clearance while United’s plane was still moving on the runway.
- Automated System Sets Off Warnings: Technology kicked in just in time. Automated alerts in the control tower warned the controllers that both planes were on a collision path.
- Quick Cancellations and averted disaster: The air traffic controller quickly told American Eagle to cancel its takeoff. But the situation had already become dangerous. The American Eagle plane had already started accelerating, reaching speeds of over 100 knots (roughly 115 miles per hour) before the pilots slammed on the brakes and stopped the plane.
- Aftermath for Everyone Involved: Following the aborted takeoff, American Eagle AA4736 returned to the gate and its flight to Buffalo was canceled. The United jet continued to its intended gate without further incident.
This sequence shows just how quickly situations on runways can become life-threatening, even with experienced pilots and advanced technology at work.
Why Did This Happen?
While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation safety authorities are investigating the specifics, several key factors are already clear. First, human error played a major role. The coordination between air traffic control and both planes broke down. The United aircraft had not yet exited the runway when the American Eagle was given permission to go.
Second, communication in the tower was complicated by radio “stepping”—when more than one pilot tries to talk at the same time. This can drown out parts of messages, leading to confusion and mistakes.
Finally, the tight design and crowded conditions at LaGuardia Airport make it harder to keep planes apart, especially as air traffic grows and schedules become more intense.
“Sorry about that,” one air traffic controller said over the radio after realizing American Eagle’s pilots had been cleared while United’s plane was still on the runway.
Airport Congestion: A Growing Problem
LaGuardia Airport is located close to New York City’s busiest areas. Because there’s not much extra space and every bit of runway and taxiway is used, any mistake can have serious consequences. This bottleneck is well known and has been flagged by pilot groups, authorities, and safety experts for years.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that congestion at LGA is unlike that at many other U.S. airports. The tight tangle of taxiways and the heavy schedule of flights mean it only takes a simple mix-up for planes to end up too close to each other. The increase in flight demand over recent years has only made the challenge more urgent.
Human Error and the Role of Technology
The close call at LaGuardia is a tough reminder of how both human judgment and technology shape flight safety. Air traffic controllers are highly trained, but they work under great stress, especially at busy times or in crowded airports.
The good news is that advanced safety systems—like the automated alerts used in this incident—work as another layer of protection. These systems “see” when two planes are getting closer than they should and quickly warn controllers, offering precious seconds to change course. Without these automatic warnings, the chance of a runway collision would be much higher.
Pattern of Near-Misses at U.S. Airports
This close call is not an isolated event. Similar mistakes and near-collisions have happened at major airports across the United States in recent years. For example, in January 2023, a Delta and American Airlines jet almost collided on a runway at another busy airport.
The FAA keeps detailed records of these incidents on its newsroom and incident statements page, showing that while actual crashes are rare, near misses are more common than many people realize. These patterns have led experts and officials to call for deeper changes, particularly at older or crowded airports such as LaGuardia Airport.
Impact on Passengers and Airlines
The direct result for American Eagle Flight AA4736 passengers was a canceled trip. This can be more than just a delay. Missing a connection can ruin vacation plans, cost businesses money, and cause stress for families waiting at their destination.
For American Airlines and United Airlines, these incidents mean extra work for crew and ground staff, as well as the possibility of investigations and safety reviews. Even a near-miss can hurt an airline’s reputation if it leads passengers to worry about safety.
Here are a few impacts that might not be obvious at first:
- Airlines: May face higher insurance costs and added safety checks.
- Passengers: Experience flight delays, missed connections, or a lack of trust in the air travel system.
- Airport Staff: Must deal with increased stress due to already-tight schedules and high expectations for safety.
- Immigration and Customs: Delays at airports like LaGuardia can ripple out to immigration inspections, leading to lines and wait times, especially for international passengers.
How Do Airports Try To Prevent Such Incidents?
Several measures are in place to reduce close calls at airports:
- Strict procedures: Pilots and controllers must follow strict step-by-step rules when moving planes on the ground.
- Training: All staff are regularly trained in up-to-date safety practices.
- Technology: As seen in this incident, automated ground warning systems are becoming more common at major airports.
- Communication checks: There is growing focus on making sure radio communication is clear, with steps to reduce radio “stepping”.
Despite these tools, no system is perfect. Busy periods and unfamiliar situations can lead to errors, which is why authorities are constantly reviewing and updating safety rules.
Past Accidents and Lessons Learned
Looking back, LaGuardia Airport and other U.S. airports have experienced close calls and even tragic accidents in the past. Each event brings changes and improvements. The goal is always to learn from what happened, make changes, and reduce the risk of it ever happening again.
For example, after previous runway accidents in the U.S., rules were changed to limit how many planes can be on certain parts of the airfield at any one time. Communication practices were also updated to help make sure controllers and pilots are always on the same page.
Investigations and What Happens Next
Any time there’s a near-miss, both the FAA and often the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launch investigations. These thorough reviews look at every detail—from the timing of radio calls to the positioning of every wheel on the runway. The aim is to pinpoint what went wrong and to recommend new steps to prevent the same mistake from happening again.
In the case of this LaGuardia close call, early reports suggest a mix of unclear instructions and busy radio traffic set up the dangerous situation. Investigators will talk to everyone involved, review tapes and flight data, and check if equipment acted as it should.
Authorities often use findings from these investigations to train staff, tweak procedures, and sometimes install new or better technology. For instance, new rules could be added about how and when planes are cleared onto runways, or about stricter checks before giving takeoff permission.
Why This Matters Beyond LaGuardia
While this incident happened at a New York airport, its lessons apply nationwide—and even worldwide. The mix of human error and technology is a puzzle at every busy airport, whether in the United States 🇺🇸 or abroad. As air travel returns to and surpasses pre-pandemic levels, the risks at congested airports like LaGuardia Airport are likely to keep growing unless further steps are taken.
People who rely on American Airlines, United Airlines, and other carriers want to know that safety is always put first. Moments like the May 6 close call remind everyone—airport operators, airline staff, and frequent fliers—that constant attention to detail is essential to keeping people safe in the air and on the ground.
The Future of Airport Safety
So what happens now? After the investigation, recommendations are expected for new or improved ways to manage runways at crowded airports. Experts say more investment in both people (such as more controllers and better training) and technology (smarter alarms and tracking) will be needed. There may also be renewed talks about redesigning how LaGuardia Airport handles arrivals and departures, to reduce overlap and risk.
For people curious about U.S. airport safety measures or who want to understand current rules and ongoing investigations, the Federal Aviation Administration’s official statements and resources provide the latest, most accurate information.
In Conclusion
The close call between American Airlines and United Airlines at LaGuardia Airport was avoided thanks to quick thinking and technology, but it still offers a wake-up call for the entire air travel industry. Its ripple effects touch airlines, passengers, airport staff, and even those waiting to clear immigration if delays build up.
The shared goal for everyone is simple: keep the skies—and the ground at airports—as safe as possible. Continued attention, improvements, and transparency are key to achieving this. Each close call like this at LaGuardia Airport is not just a moment of danger—it’s a reminder that safety is made up of every small decision, every piece of equipment, and every rule we follow.
Learn Today
Near-miss → A situation where two aircraft come dangerously close to collision but avoid contact, often due to intervention or chance.
Air Traffic Control → A ground-based service that manages the orderly and safe movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air.
Runway Incursion → An unauthorized presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on an airport runway, risking collision or operational disruption.
Automated Alerts → Technological systems in control towers that detect potential dangers and warn controllers of possible collisions or unsafe conditions.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) → The United States government agency responsible for regulating civil aviation, airport safety, and investigating aviation incidents.
This Article in a Nutshell
A near-collision between American Airlines and United Airlines planes at LaGuardia Airport on May 6, 2025, highlights risks at crowded airports. Human error and communication failures played a role, but technology prevented tragedy. Ongoing investigations aim to improve safety at U.S. airports amid growing air traffic and increasing congestion.
— By VisaVerge.com
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