Air Traffic Control Audio Captures Moments of Uncertainty During FAA Technologies Disruption
Incredible Air Traffic Control (ATC) audio captures the moment staff lost radar and radio signals last week while guiding the plane to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey last week.
The power outage lasted about 90 seconds on April 28. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital that the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) operation in Philadelphia “has temporarily lost radar and had no control with the aircraft they controlled, could not see, hear or talk to them.”
The audio shows the initial moments of learning a power outage in Tracon/ATCT in Philadelphia.
“There are some devices outages, so I don't know what the hell is, but they have some frequency problems and then the radar scope has gone out, so they can't let anyone go right now,” one heard one say.
Newark Airport
Views of Newark Airport on May 6, 2025. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“I'm going to move you here because I've just been told this method loses all radar. Three of the four radar screens are blackened, and they have no frequency. ”
Another said, “I think it’s a serious problem because I have one to arrive and now I have no one else back.”
The audio also captures controllers trying to get more information about the interrupt.
“Do you know how long it will take to get a departure delay?” one person asked in the audio.
“I have no idea. We are still waiting for news from Newark Tracon,” another answered quickly.
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Travelers at United Airlines Holdings Inc., Pier C, Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, Newark, New Jersey, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 are at the boarding area of Newark Liberty International Airport. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This method tells me that several technicians entered, looked at the radar range and walked out,” one man said. “They think it might be delayed.”
The incident predated the massive delays and cancellations of the New Jersey Travel Center, which has been underway since Thursday.
In a statement obtained by Fox Business, the FAA addressed the staff shortage that caused the problem.
“Although we can’t change it quickly [the controllers who have left] Due to this highly professional profession, we will continue to train controllers to eventually be assigned to this busy airspace. ” the agency said on Monday.
Newark Airport saw a view of travelers facing massive delays for eight consecutive days, United Airlines cancelled its route and was short of staff on May 6, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“When there are problems with departure staff or equipment, the FAA will ensure safety by slowing down arrivals to the airport. We will keep the public up to date as we resolve these issues.”
Kyle Schmidbauer of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
