The FAA is investigating a Delta flight that accidentally hit a NYC tower block on approach
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Delta Air Lines pilots touched the wrong tower while trying to land in New York City earlier this month in shocking footage captured on newly released audio.
The incident occurred on March 15, when Delta Air Lines flight 5752, operated by Republic Airways, was flying from Washington Reagan National Airport in DC to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
Instead of reaching LaGuardia, the pilots saw on the radio the John F. Kennedy Tower 10 miles away, according to audio published on LiveATC over the weekend.
The confusing error caused the plane to take off safely, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told FOX Business on Wednesday.
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A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 flight bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York will depart on April 5, 2025. (Omar Havana/Getty Images/Getty)
According to the transmission, several control towers and pilots from other planes were heard, with one pilot reacting in disbelief as the mix-up unfolded.
The exchange began with the pilots pointing at each other and asking for permission to land, prompting an air traffic controller to respond with obvious confusion.
“That’s…uh…Who?” asked the JFK tower controller. “I’m sorry, where are you?”
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Delta Air Lines Flight 5752 hit the wrong air traffic control tower while en route to LaGuardia Airport. (Getty Images)
“2-mile final, Brickyard 5752,” the pilot confirmed.
“2-mile final where?” pressed the controller, the pilot replied, “Runway 4.”
“LaGuardia?” asked the controller.
“Yes, ma’am,” replied the pilot.
“This is Kennedy Tower, please go to LaGuardia Tower,” the operator quickly ordered.
“Oh my god. It’s okay,” replied the pilot.
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A plane takes off near the control tower at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Oct. 8, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Another stranger, who heard the feed interaction, responded in disbelief, saying, “That’s crazy.”
The pilots then touched the right tower, announcing, “We’re leaving.”
The FAA confirmed the crash to FOX Business on Wednesday, explaining that the plane began to spin, shorting the runway and returning the plane to safety for another attempt.
“The crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 5752 diverted on approach to LaGuardia Airport after receiving a miscommunication with the John F. Kennedy air traffic control tower,” the FAA said.
“Aircraft management instructed the flight crew to switch to the correct frequency. No other aircraft were involved.”
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | Company DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 67.60 | +1.12 |
+1.68% |
According to FlightAware, the flight arrived about 25 minutes late.
The FAA said the agency is investigating the incident.
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Delta Air Lines confirmed to the New York Post that its flight attendants were not on the flight, which was operated by Republic Airways, according to FlightAware.
FOX Business has reached out to Republic Airways for more information.
