The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says it plans to expand transponder technology on its rescue vehicles after one was missing from the fire truck involved in last month’s deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport.
Port Authority officials confirmed the update with Gothamist on Tuesday evening.
A Port Authority truck collided with an Air Canada plane at the Queens airport last month, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of others.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found the vehicle did not have a transponder, a device that helps air traffic controllers more precisely track aircraft and ground vehicles. The report also described communication issues as multiple emergency vehicles responded on the runway.
The NTSB is expected to release a final report in the coming years, but the preliminary findings have already prompted changes.
The Port Authority has said the vehicle was in contact with air traffic control and received clearance to proceed, according to a statement.
James Allen, the agency’s chief communications officer, said the report “reflect[s] how multiple safety systems and procedures interact in real-world conditions, particularly during complex emergency responses involving multiple vehicles.”
“The Port Authority has made targeted investments in safety technology for its ARFF and other airfield vehicles, including systems designed to track vehicle movements and support operator awareness across the airfield,” Allen said in a statement. “We also recognize that transponder technology can provide an additional layer of visibility on top of existing surface-surveillance systems that already track ground movements.”
A spokesperson for the NTSB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
