Pilots of a Delta flight contacted the wrong control tower during a landing attempt in New York City earlier this month in an alarming mix-up captured in newly surfaced flight audio.
The incident occurred March 15, when Delta Air Lines flight 5752, operated by Republic Airways, was flying from Washington Reagan National Airport in D.C. to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
Instead of reaching LaGuardia, the pilots appeared to radio the John F. Kennedy tower about 10 miles away, according to audio published on LiveATC over the weekend.
The baffling error prompted a go-around before the flight ultimately landed safely, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told FOX Business Wednesday.
According to the transmission, multiple control towers and pilots from other flights could be heard on the feed, with one pilot reacting in stunned disbelief as the mix-up came to light.
The exchange began when the pilots identified themselves and requested clearance to land, prompting an air traffic controller to respond in apparent confusion.
“That’s … uh … Who?” the JFK tower controller asked. “I’m sorry, where are you?”
“2-mile final, Brickyard 5752,” the pilot confirmed.
“2-mile final where?” the controller pressed, to which the pilot answered, “Runway 4.”
“At LaGuardia?” the controller asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” the pilot responded.
“This is Kennedy Tower, please go to LaGuardia Tower,” the controller quickly instructed.
“Oh my goodness. All right,” the pilot answered.
Another unknown individual, who heard the interaction in the feed, reacted in disbelief, saying, “That’s crazy.”
The pilots then contacted the correct tower, announcing, “We’re going around.”
The FAA confirmed the slip-up to FOX Business Wednesday, explaining the flight began a go-around, which aborts the landing approach and returns the aircraft to a safe altitude for another attempt.
“The flight crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 5752 performed a go-around on approach to LaGuardia Airport after incorrectly establishing communication with the John F. Kennedy air traffic control tower,” the FAA said.
“Air traffic control instructed the flight crew to switch to the correct frequency. No other aircraft were involved.”
According to FlightAware, the jet arrived roughly 25 minutes behind schedule.
The FAA said the agency is investigating the event.
Delta Air Lines confirmed to the New York Post that its flight crew was not on board the aircraft, which was operated by Republic Airways, according to FlightAware.
FOX Business reached out to Republic Airways for more information.
