Flights grounded at major US airports after cable cut by construction workers
A major aviation disruption occurred across the northeastern US after construction workers accidentally cut a cable, disabling a critical radar system. Flights at major hubs like LaGuardia and Philadelphia were grounded, with officials warning of lengthy repair times.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the potential for localized accidents to cause widespread economic and logistical chaos.
File photo of New York City's LaGuardia Airport
It's been a manic Monday for multiple airports across the northeastern US, after an equipment issue delayed hundreds of flights. Major airports in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and New Jersey were among those affected.
The problem? A malfunction of a system which guides planes during take-off and landing, called the Terminal Radar Approach Control System.
Aviation administrator Bryan Bedford said that a circuit had failed, and the system went down because a backup cable had been damaged by a construction crew in New Jersey.
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