Delta flight 5752 alarmed officials after the pilots mistakenly contacted the wrong tower near New York City. The FAA confirmed that the pilots caused the error while approaching LaGuardia Airport on March 15. The flight crew initially reached John F. Kennedy tower instead of LaGuardia tower, which forced them to perform a go-around.
The pilots flew the aircraft from Washington Reagan National Airport and planned to land at LaGuardia Airport. Instead, they accidentally radioed JFK tower about ten miles away, according to flight audio recordings. The air traffic controller reacted with confusion and asked the pilots to clarify which airport they intended to reach.
The pilots confirmed they were on a two-mile final approach to LaGuardia’s runway four. The JFK controller immediately instructed them to contact LaGuardia tower, and the pilots followed the instructions without delay. They executed a go-around to regain a safe altitude and prepare for a second landing attempt.
Multiple pilots and controllers reacted audibly to the mix-up in the flight audio. One pilot exclaimed, “That’s crazy,” as everyone monitoring the frequency realized the miscommunication. The flight crew landed safely on the second attempt, and the incident involved no other aircraft.
The FAA stated that the pilots performed the go-around after contacting the wrong tower. Controllers directed the crew to switch to the correct frequency, ensuring safe landing coordination. The agency continues to investigate the incident to prevent similar miscommunications in the future.
Delta Air Lines clarified that Republic Airways operated the flight, and the airline did not directly employ the crew. FlightAware reported that the flight arrived about 25 minutes late because of the go-around. The airline confirmed that the pilots handled the approach safely and experienced no safety incidents.
This event demonstrates why pilots and air traffic controllers must maintain precise and clear radio communication. Airlines and the FAA regularly review procedures to prevent miscommunication from affecting flight operations. Officials may use this incident to update pilot training programs and adjust procedural protocols.
