The pilot of a Delta Air Lines plane approaching New York's LaGuardia Airport wasn't sure why an air traffic controller warned him to "use extreme caution" while landing.
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"Delta 2604, LaGuardia Tower... Cleared to land. MANPAD alert issued at LaGuardia Airport, use extreme caution," the controller said.
The pilot of the Boeing 737-900 wasn't sure what to look out for. He then asked, "Can you explain what a MANPAD is?"
"Yeah, that's a man-portable air-defense system," the controller replied. "Yeah, it's— basically it was a report of a rocket launcher."
What Happened at LaGuardia Airport?
As reported by PEOPLE, the harrowing moment took place on Tuesday, July 21. Delta Flight 2604, which had 182 people on board, was coming into LaGuardia Airport just before 8 p.m. local time.
The controller added, "There was a report by the Port Authority Police, and they said by, I believe, Terminal C. We had conflicting reports, but nothing has been an issue as of yet."
Then moments later, the controller provided the pilot an update on the situation.
He said, "No need to respond, Delta 2604, Port Authority Police reported that was a non-credible threat."
Passengers Had No Idea What Happened
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said that the plane landed safely at LaGuardia Airport. Tracking data shows that the aircraft did not veer from its path. In fact, none of the plane's passengers even knew what happened.
LaGuardia Airport is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A spokesperson for the agency said they received an anonymous call from someone claiming to be at the end of a runway with a "rocket-propelled grenade and threatening to shoot down an aircraft."
After investigators searched the area, it was determined that the threat was unfounded. The incident is still being investigated, according to the agency.
