13 Dec 20244:58 reconstruction3K views

Aer Lingus Pilot Gets Angry with New York ATC

Advertisement

EI104 (A333 Reg: EI-FNG) from JFK-DUB was departing at 5:15pm local time from New York's JFK airport. Following relatively severe weather in the New York area many aircraft on departure from the New York were requesting deviations from their routes due to the storms. This was a time of very high workload for pilots and controllers alike, as random weather deviations from planned routings can quickly throw a controller's airspace into a mess.

Timeline
EI104 (A333 Reg: EI-FNG) from JFK-DUB was departing at 5:15pm local time from New York's JFK airport.
1.
Development of the situation
Following relatively severe weather in the New York area many aircraft on departure from the New York were requesting deviations from their routes due to the storms.
2.
Response or continuation
This was a time of very high workload for pilots and controllers alike, as random weather deviations from planned routings can quickly throw a controller's airspace into a mess.
3.
Resolution or outcome described in the account
The crew told ATC they could not turn to the east/southeast due to a weather build-up.
4.

Accident Facts

Airports
DUB (Dublin), JFK (New York JFK)
Category
Unruly / Dispute
Reconstruction
4:58

The crew told ATC they could not turn to the east/southeast due to a weather build-up. ATC responded by remarking that he can see only the lightest category of weather there (ATC has a weather radar in NY Tracon) and that no other aircraft had deviated from there. The Aer Lingus pilot remarks that he is just going by the equipment he has onboard.

The flight, after 3 holding patterns, continued to Dublin, landing an hour late

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.
Advertisement

The weekly incident