A Delta Air Lines pilot on approach to LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday night received an alarming warning from air traffic control: be alert for a possible rocket launcher threat.
The alert was issued at 8:27 p.m. for Delta Flight 2604, which was traveling from Detroit to LGA, with controllers advising the crew to use caution over a reported MANPAD — a man-portable air defense system.
“MANPAD alert issued at LaGuardia Airport at 0027. Use extreme caution,” an air traffic controller said, according to audio transmissions obtained by CBS News.
The warning, prompted by an anonymous tip that Port Authority police later determined was a hoax, left the pilot startled and confused as he prepared to bring the aircraft in for landing.
After the pilot asked the tower to clarify what a MANPAD was, the controller described it as “a manned portable air defense system.”
“Basically, it was a report of a rocket launcher,” the controller told him.
The scare was short-lived, however, with controllers canceling the concern less than a minute after the initial warning went out.
“No need to respond, Delta 2604,” the controller said. “Port Authority police reported it was a non-credible threat.”
The Delta flight landed safely without incident.
