Newark airport outage last week lasted 60-90 seconds, ATC screens went dark: Sources

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

May 5, 2025, 8:22 PM


The outage at Newark Liberty International Airport last Monday caused air traffic control computer screens to go dark for roughly 60 to 90 seconds, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the incident. It prevented the controllers from talking to aircraft during this time as well.

In the air traffic control recordings obtained by ABC News, you can hear an air traffic controller telling pilots that "approach lost all the radars. Three of the four radar screens went black and they have no frequency."

As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration halted all departures to the Newark airport, citing "telecommunications and equipment issues at Philadelphia TRACON." This is the air traffic control facility that directs aircraft in and out of the Newark airport.

Following the outage, several controllers went on medical leave, calling the experience a traumatic event. The controllers are entitled to at least 45 days away from the job and must be evaluated by a doctor before they can return to work.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/newark-airport-outage-week-lasted-60-90-seconds/story?id=121484044

[Chemical Bill]

1. Maybe that was when...

DOGE was installing the AI....

[peacebuzzard]

2. This is about as serious as it gets.

Newark has had its share of troubles controlling a portion of the busiest air spaces in the world.
This event is not good. I feel like a bullet was dodged.
That would have jolted controllers and pilots in that 1.5- +/- minute span. Especially the approach and takeoffs.
Inexcusable.

[Bengus81]

4. That is a DAMN long time for their radar to go dark. Holy CRAP!

[peacebuzzard]

6. 1/60 of 500 miles per hour and no contact on approach/takeoff

Mic drop, jaw drop, yikes.
Yes, give me my 45 days off to recover.

[RobinA]

3. How Truly

third world. No redundancy? Do they even know what happened?

[PJMcK]

5. Newark Liberty is a terrible airport

I avoid it at all costs because of its deficiencies. It’s not safe as this incident demonstrates. There are too many delays and cancellations. It’s understaffed. It’s expensive. JFK and especially the new LaGuardia are far better.