Air traffic control systems for Newark Airport fail again as concerns over safety mount
According to a statement issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, both the radar display and some portion of the communication systems that allow controllers to reach pilots and local airport control towers failed for 'approximately 90 seconds' around 3:55 a.m.
The outage affected systems at the Philadelphia facility known as 'Philadelphia TRACON' — an acronym for Terminal Radar Approach Control — specifically those used by controllers responsible for guiding planes into and out of airports in northern New Jersey.
It was unclear Friday evening to what degree ground-to-plane communications were affected.
But during the radar outage, air traffic controllers could be heard telling a FedEx plane that their screens had gone dark, ABC News reported.
In another transmission, a controller informed the crew of a private jet about the radar outage and instructed the pilot to remain at or above 3,000 feet in case the controllers were unable to make contact during the aircraft's descent, ABC said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. — who has called on the DOT's inspector general to look into New York and Philly TRACON's short staffing and infrastructural issues — expressed his skepticism.
'This is an air travel safety emergency that requires immediate and decisive action, not a promise of a big, beautiful unfunded overhaul that will take years to begin to implement,' he said in a statement.
'Enough is enough. The connection between New York air space and the Philadelphia air traffic control center must be fixed now,' he added. 'The skies over New York City are some of the busiest in the world.
'This cannot happen again.'
The meltdown came on the heels of an April 28 outage at Philly TRACON, in which radar coverage of North Jersey airspace and telecommunications lines between controllers and local airport towers failed.
That outage effectively shut down one of the nation's busiest airports for approximately two hours, and led to days of cancellations, delays and headaches for travelers.
As previously reported by the Daily News, radar feeds for the North Jersey airspace go to New York TRACON on Long Island — which managed the airspace above Newark until last summer.
Currently, the feeds are then relayed from Long Island down to Philly, a setup that leads to frequent latency and outage issues.
Following the April 28 outage, five of the 25 air traffic controllers certified to manage the airspace over North Jersey took 45-day trauma leave, according to a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
That 20% reduction in staffing caused its own set of delays at Newark, which have continued for nearly two weeks.
The delays and cancellations at Newark continued on Friday, exacerbated by maintenance work and poor weather.
The FAA issued a seemingly unrelated 'ground stop' late Friday morning due to taxiway construction, which lasted roughly an hour.
By 5 p.m., 140 flights had been canceled at Newark Liberty, and more than 400 had been delayed, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware.
The miserable travel conditions in the nation's busiest airspace — where more than 100 planes a day have been canceled for nearly two weeks — has put a spotlight on chronic understaffing of the nation's air traffic control systems as well as the aging infrastructure upon which they rely.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that his department would be working 'to build a brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world.'
Those efforts are supposed to include a total overhaul of the telecommunications system, the replacement of 618 radar facilities, and hardware and software upgrades at TRACON and air traffic control center facilities nationwide.
Late Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the 'glitch in the system' at Newark, but said it had nothing to do with the delays.
'That glitch was caused by the same telecoms and software issues that were raised last week,' she said. 'Everything went back online after the brief outage, and there was no operational impact.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Hurricane Erin brings strong rip currents and huge waves to Massachusetts beaches
As Hurricane Erin moves up the east coast, the storm is bringing huge waves and strong rip currents to Horseneck Beach in Westport, Massachusetts. "Seeing very rough waves and seeing that, we're not allowed in the water," said beachgoer Debbie Pimento, who was watching the waves at the beach. A double red flag warning has been issued at Horseneck, which means the water is closed for swimming and surfing. Lifeguards are also posted along the beach to keep beachgoers from trying to go in. "A lot of waves," said Pimento. "I'm afraid that there's maybe going to be some surfers that go out there but it doesn't look like they're even allowed. I didn't think there was going to be anybody on the beach today." Liz Hanson is a regular at Horseneck and said she's never seen waves this big. "Yesterday there were folks with boogie boards enjoying the slightly higher surf but they're doing a good job letting us know with the double red flags this isn't a safe condition," said Hanson. Horseneck Beach closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday due to high rip currents and a high surf advisory remains in effect until Saturday morning. The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous conditions and localized beach erosion. Hanson said she and her family could feel the conditions getting more and more powerful over the last few days. "We got our feet wet two days ago," said Hanson, referring to her and her baby. "But even yesterday, he was sort of feeling the pullback and we were saying too much probably, but definitely not this."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
This Stunning Beach Was Named No. 1 in the U.S. for 2025—and It Has Massive Dunes and White Quartz Sand
Coopers Beach in Southampton takes the top spot in Dr. Beach's 2025 rankings, praised for its soft sand, sweeping dunes, and luxe appeal. When it comes to beaches, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman is a certified expert. The scientist, author, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University also goes by the nickname Dr. Beach. For more than 30 years, he's been using his expertise in all things beaches to evaluate and rate coastal areas around the world—and each year, he releases his ranking of America's Best Beaches. Using his 50-criterion system—which takes into account things like sand softness, number of sunny days, rip currents, and water color—Dr. Beach determined that Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, earned the top spot. Just a 2.5-hour drive from Manhattan, depending on traffic, the Long Island destination surpassed its previous No. 2 position, which it took in 2024. In his explanation for why Coopers Beach ranked so highly this year, Dr. Beach credited its location, white sand, towering dunes, and access via public transportation. 'Coopers Beach is… shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton. Coopers Beach is hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand,' he stated. 'The beach is backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with extravagant mansions.' He also added that while 'parking is expensive,' visitors have the option to ride free with Circuit. The electric public cart transports between six and eight people at a time from Southampton to Coopers Beach. Of course, summer is primetime on Coopers Beach, but early fall is equally appealing, especially if you prefer a beach without crowds. 'The best time of the year to visit is in September when the summer tourists are gone, and the ocean water is still warm,' Dr. Beach shared. To really up the ante on a relaxing getaway to Coopers Beach and Southampton, book a room at Shou Sugi Ban House in nearby Water Mill—just give yourself plenty of time to enjoy both the wellness retreat and the beach. Before you head to the beach, pop into Southampton for some good old-fashioned Hamptons shopping, dining, and celebrity spotting. Grabbing coffee at The Golden Pear is a must, and it doesn't hurt to stock up on sweets from The Fudge Company and to-go sandwiches from Cheese Shoppe. If you're feeling extra festive, the Southampton outpost of Sant Ambroeus should hit the mark with its pastries and gelato. During your Hamptons vacation, you may also want to stop by another Dr. Beach-favorite. Main Beach in East Hampton came in at No. 5 in his ratings, thanks to its 'beautiful, clean, and clear blue water.' Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Sweat Home Chicago: How To Stay Active And Fit In The Windy City
Millennium Park, where Cloud Gate ("The Bean") is located, is a great place to run around and get your steps in while in Chicago. getty Chicago is a gritty city with midwestern charm. There's plenty to do, see, and eat here. But it's not all deep dish and Chicago-style hot dogs. Whether you're a local who likes to be healthy and fit, or you're just blowing through yet you want to maintain your active lifestyle while on the road, here are fun things to do to sweat in the city. Kayaking on the Chicago River is a fun way to explore the city. getty Few things can beat a nice summer day along the Chicago River, a popular locale for fun happenings like Chicago Architecture Center's river cruise aboard the First Lady; strolling along the paved Riverwalk, where you'll find oodles of eateries, bars, and cafes—not to mention excellent people watching; and private boat rentals from the Chicago Boat Company. But one activity allows you to get a duck view of the city's most famous buildings: kayaking. There are multiple outfitters that lead tours, however, if you have your own kayak, you can launch your own vessel at a public launch site. Pro tip: make sure you wear a personal flotation device; be mindful of the traffic, including big boats and water taxis; and be sure to give yourself plenty of time to cross the river, always staying to the right and out of the way when possible. Many of Chicago's best hotels permit access to their gyms, spas, swimming pools, and fitness studios. getty Of course, there are no shortages of yoga studios, rock climbing facilities, or gyms throughout the city that will help you increase your cardio and break a sweat. ResortPass can give you day access to some of the city's best hotel gyms, swimming pools, and fitness studios, including at the InterContinental Chicago, JW Marriott Chicago, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, and many more. But it's also worth noting that the Chicago Park District has a full lineup of classes via their wellness division. From aerobics to yoga to walking to nutrition, there's much to take advantage of here. Explore The 606 The 606 Bloomingdale Trail in Humboldt Park is a great way to spend time in the outdoors. getty The 606, or The Bloomingdale Trail, is open every day from 6:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m. This 2.7-mile elevated mixed use trail is car-free, offering a safe and fun way to spend time in the outdoors. Experience the city alongside the people who live here through art installations, green spaces, and organized activities that are all perfect for families. Rollerskate or rollerblade, run, walk, or ride your bike—this former railway has something to offer everyone. Run, Walk, or Cycle on the Lakefront Trail Chicago's Lakefront Trail offers some of the best views of the city. getty Chicago's 18-mile Lakefront Trail is well maintained and paved, making it easy to run, cycle, or walk—separate pedestrian and bicycle paths help with overcrowding and safety. You'll enjoy the outdoors while taking in the views of Lake Michigan and the Windy City's skyline. Plus, you'll love wandering past the marinas, parks, and sandy beaches. There's much to see here to propel you on your workout. Pro tip: Bring plenty of water and sunscreen as the trail is mostly exposed to the sun. For cycling, you may want to invest in a well-made gear organizer to hold everything you need, like the on-bike storage system from Mission Workshop. Plus, if you need hardwearing padded bike shorts, a new jersey, or any other high-performing cycling accessories, there's a great selection at PEARL iZUMi. Stay Fit the Chicago Way The skyscrapers in contrast to the lake create quite the backdrop at Oak Street Beach. getty Soak up the sun and move your body through water sports like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming at one of Chicago's famous beaches like North Avenue Beach, 31st Street Beach, Oak Street Beach or Montrose Beach. You can also organize a volleyball game, rent bicycles, or even romp around at a dog-specific (Montrose Dog Beach). Either way, you'll have fun in the outdoors while the Chicago skyline looms large in the backdrop.
