In response to the recent LaGuardia Airport crash that resulted in two fatalities, emergency vehicles at three major New York City airports will soon be fitted with new tracking devices. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that a fire truck’s missing transponder was a significant factor in the accident.
On Tuesday, Port Authority spokesperson James Allen announced plans to broaden the implementation of transponder technology at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports, following guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The initial report from the NTSB, released last week, revealed that the fire truck lacked a transponder, although it did not conclude that having one would have averted the crash.
Without this equipment, the airport’s alert system couldn’t align the flight path of the descending Air Canada Express with that of the fire truck, according to the report.
The aircraft collided with the fire engine while crossing the runway, leading to a catastrophic impact that resulted in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to 39 passengers. Additionally, two firefighters in the truck were hurt but survived and are now on administrative leave.
Allen highlighted that the Port Authority is investing in safety technologies, noting that each transponder costs about $10,000.
“We’re continuing to collaborate with the NTSB and are committed to enhancing airfield safety alongside the FAA as the investigation unfolds,” he mentioned.
For over 15 years, the FAA has urged airports to install transponders on emergency vehicles but hasn’t implemented specific regulations.
Recently, the FAA included recommendations in its May 2025 guidelines and initiated a pilot program at Newark Liberty Airport in December 2025.
On the night of the incident, Port Authority fire engines were responding to an emergency at LaGuardia around midnight when they received clearance to cross Runway 4, coinciding with an Air Canada Express flight that had been cleared to land.
Audio recordings post-crash captured one of the air traffic controllers urgently instructing the truck to “stop” just moments before the collision.
At a press briefing two days after the incident, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy asserted that fire trucks and rescue vehicles must have transponders installed.
“Air traffic controllers need to be aware of what’s on the ground. Whether it’s on the runway or in the airspace, that information is crucial for safety,” she expressed.
The investigation into this accident is still ongoing.
