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Aviators aboard a Delta aircraft mistakenly reached out to the incorrect air traffic control tower while endeavoring to land in New York City at the beginning of this month, an unsettling blunder documented in recently disclosed flight recordings.
This event took place March 15, when Delta Air Lines flight 5752, under the operation of Republic Airways, was en route from Washington Reagan National Airport in D.C. to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
Rather than arriving at LaGuardia, the flight crew seemingly radioed the John F. Kennedy tower approximately 10 miles distant, as per recordings disclosed on LiveATC during the past weekend.
This perplexing blunder necessitated a go-around procedure prior to the aircraft’s eventual safe touchdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed FOX Business on Wednesday.
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A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 aircraft destined for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport departs April 5, 2025. (Omar Havana/Getty Images / Getty Images)
As per the broadcast, numerous air traffic control facilities and flight crews from different aircraft were audible on the channel, with one aviator responding with profound astonishment as the confusion became apparent.
The communication commenced when the aviators announced their identity and sought permission to land, leading an air traffic controller to reply with evident bewilderment.
“That’s … uh … Who?” the JFK tower controller asked. “I’m sorry, where are you?”
Delta Air Lines flight 5752 reached out to the incorrect air traffic control facility during its journey to LaGuardia Airport. (Getty Images)
“2-mile final, Brickyard 5752,” the pilot confirmed.
“2-mile final where?” the controller probed, with the aviator responding, “Runway 4.”
“At LaGuardia?” the controller asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” the aviator replied.
“This is Kennedy Tower, please go to LaGuardia Tower,” the controller promptly directed.
“Oh my goodness. All right,” the aviator responded.
An airplane soars past the rear of an air traffic control facility at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Oct. 8, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images / Getty Images)
An unidentified person, who overheard the exchange on the channel, responded with astonishment, remarking, “That’s crazy.”
The aviators subsequently reached the appropriate tower, declaring, “We’re going around.”
The FAA verified the oversight to FOX Business Wednesday, clarifying that the aircraft initiated a go-around procedure, a maneuver that halts the descent attempt and elevates the plane to a secure height for a subsequent try.
“The flight crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 5752 executed a go-around during its approach towards LaGuardia Airport following an erroneous communication link with the John F. Kennedy air traffic control facility,” stated the FAA.
“Air traffic control directed the flight personnel to change to the proper frequency. No additional planes were implicated.”
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 67.60 | +1.12 | +1.68% |
Per FlightAware, the aircraft touched down approximately 25 minutes later than planned.
The FAA indicated the authority is probing the occurrence.
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Delta Air Lines verified with the New York Post that its flight personnel were not aboard the plane, whose operation was handled by Republic Airways, as per FlightAware.
FOX Business contacted Republic Airways for further details.