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Pilots Mistakenly Contacted Wrong Airport Tower at LaGuardia
Crew executed go-around before safely landing after frequency error
Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:55pm
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On March 15, a Republic Airways crew flying Delta Connection Flight 5752 from Washington, DC to New York's LaGuardia Airport mistakenly contacted the control tower at JFK Airport, about 10 miles away, while on final approach to LaGuardia. The JFK controller realized the error and directed the pilots to switch to the correct LaGuardia tower frequency, allowing them to execute a go-around and land safely.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the critical importance of pilots maintaining proper communication with the correct air traffic control tower during landing procedures, as contacting the wrong tower could have led to a potentially dangerous situation. It also comes just a week before a separate crash at LaGuardia involving an Air Canada Express flight, raising questions about air traffic control workload and procedures at the busy New York airport.
The details
In the recorded audio, the JFK controller was puzzled when the Republic Airways crew called in, asking "I'm sorry, where are you?" before realizing the plane was on final approach to LaGuardia's Runway 4, about 10 miles away. The controller then directed the pilots to switch to the correct LaGuardia tower frequency, prompting the pilot's reaction of "Oh my goodness. Alright." Republic says the crew executed a go-around and then landed safely at LaGuardia.
- The incident occurred on March 15, 2026.
- It came one week before a separate crash at LaGuardia involving an Air Canada Express flight on March 22, 2026.
The players
Republic Airways
The airline operating Delta Connection Flight 5752 from Washington, DC to New York's LaGuardia Airport.
JFK Airport
The New York airport that the Republic Airways pilots mistakenly contacted while on final approach to LaGuardia Airport.
LaGuardia Airport
The New York airport where the Republic Airways flight was attempting to land.
Robert Sumwalt
Former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, who stated that landing without proper clearance "would have been a very bad mistake" and that he'd never heard of this specific error in more than three decades of flying.
What they’re saying
“I'm sorry, where are you?”
— JFK Controller
“Oh my goodness. Alright.”
— Republic Airways Pilot
“That's crazy.”
— Another Pilot
“Landing without proper clearance "would have been a very bad mistake" and that he'd never heard of this specific error in more than three decades of flying.”
— Robert Sumwalt, Former NTSB Chair
What’s next
The FAA and aviation authorities will likely investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the frequency error and evaluate any necessary changes to procedures or training to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the critical importance of clear communication between pilots and air traffic control towers during the landing process. While the crew was able to execute a go-around and land safely, contacting the wrong tower could have had serious consequences, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and improvement in aviation safety protocols.
