FAA to Require Transponders on Airport Vehicles Following LaGuardia Accident
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a $16.5 million investment to equip approximately 1,900 airside vehicles with transponder systems following a fatal runway accident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in March.
The decision was expedited after an incident involving an Air Canada Express Bombardier CRJ900 passenger aircraft, which collided with a fire truck during landing. Two pilots were killed and several passengers were injured in the crash at LaGuardia Airport. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire vehicle involved in the collision was not equipped with a transponder.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that transponder systems will help close critical visibility gaps, adding that airports across the United States are being encouraged to adopt similar systems with federal funding support.
