Spilled Java Causes Control Tower Miscue
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
A coffee spill distracted air traffic controllers long enough to delay instructions to a passenger jet, causing two planes to pass within 20 feet of each other over New York City’s LaGuardia airport. A spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the near miss occurred April 3. An air traffic controllers union official said an FAA supervisor in the tower spilled coffee and the controller moved from his position to clean it up.
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