- Federal authorities are investigating the cause of the fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, where an Air Canada Express jet struck a fire truck on the tarmac, killing two pilots.
- A key focus of the inquiry is whether an air traffic controller was forced to leave their workstation to use an emergency landline, called a “crash phone,” potentially impacting their ability to monitor the runway, according to a new report.
- Investigators are also examining the tower's staffing levels, potential radio communication interference, and environmental factors like the taxiway's layout and light pollution.
- The incident occurred as fire trucks were responding to a United Airlines flight reporting an odor, with the controller managing multiple aircraft in the moments before the crash.
- The National Transportation Safety Board's final report, determining the probable cause, is anticipated within 12 to 18 months.
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