69 years old pilot goes rogue at JFK, intercepted by NYPD 🚁! #atc

Flight Follower
Flight Follower
21,241
0
Published 2024-07-14
an experimental low-wing aircraft entered the JFK TCA without permission The tower sent around EVA638 and NYPD15 quickly appeared on scene to try to ID and make contact with the experimental. There was some vectored chasing from JFK tower and eventually the aircraft left the TCA to the ENE with PD15 on his tail. They entered into the ROBER sector (125.7) where PD15 eventually made contact with the aircraft. The aircraft, experimental N5025G, was directed by PD15 to FRG where it made a landing around 1715z. PD15 followed the aircraft right down the runways and taxiways so he'd be sure to be able to "get some info."
#atc
#aviation
#pilot

News —

“A retired Navy pilot flying his home-built plane from Virginia to Long Island made a wrong turn along the way, leaving him smack in the middle of Kennedy Airport’s bustling airspace and perilously close to an inbound 747, according to a New York Post report.

After flying north up the Jersey shore, 69-year-old John Prendergast planned to turn northeast over the Atlantic to Robert Moses State Park, where he would turn back to the northwest towards Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale. It seems, however, that he made his northwest turn too soon, over Long Beach, leading him straight into JFK airspace.

While circling over the eastern end of the field for some time – without ever making radio contact with controllers – at one point Prendergast was directly in the path of an EVA Air 747 inbound from Atlanta. Eventually an NYPD chopper was able to contact him on an emergency frequency and escorted him to his intended destination of Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale. “I don’t know what he’s doing – he’s going everywhere,” said one controller, warning traffic that there was an “unknown aircraft” in the area.

Prendergast was flying an experimental Vans RV-7A, registration N5025G, a two-seat, Mazda-powered aircraft he built himself, according to FAA records.

The FAA says it is investigating, but so far Mr. Prendergast has not yet been charged with any offense.”



If you like our contents please SUBSCRIBE to our channel
   / @flight_follower  


All videos are licensed under Creative Commons or used under YT quidelines of 'Fair Use'i do not own or claim any video. credits goes to respective owners. if you have your videos used and want to make a change email me. so that we can solve the issue.

The ATC audio is downloaded from Liveatc.net

Email us at

[email protected]
All Comments (14)
  • @evanlinn5869
    FAA site shows the registration expired in 2019, just as a bonus.
  • @josephveksenfeld5344
    I can see how someone unfamiliar with the area could get confused. Captree Bridge is a visual approach fix to Republic Airport. This is the point where the pilots contact Republic (FRG) tower. This bridge is near the west end of Fire Island, a long, narrow piece of land. Immediately to the west of it is another long and narrow island. Looking north from over the Captree Bridge, you can see the Republic airport just a few miles away. If you don't know the area it is easy to confuse the Captree Bridge with the Atlantic Beach Bridge 25 miles west of it. Both are near the west end of a long, narrow island; both have another long, narrow strip of land immediately to the west; and both have an airport just to the north. I think the pilot thought that he was starting an approach Republic, was probably on the FRG tower frequency, and then was surprised when the airport in front of him did not match what he had on his approach chart.
  • @adamdejesus4017
    Great example of how air traffic control (ATC) and air intercept control (AIC) are two completely different disciplines. Being good at one does not make you good at the other.
  • @areza15143
    That tower controller in the middle of the video was missing lots of questions and calls.
  • @vsavatar
    So, is this really a viral ad for Van's Aircraft right before Airventure?
  • @stevegiron8825
    The FAA stopped using "TCA" Terminal Control Area about 20+ years ago ?
  • @Zaephyrs
    The tower controller sounds like Kennedy Steve
  • @ScortchedYFronts
    TIME FOR AN AGE LIMIT. TWR can hear these old farts...Ive heard a TWR lady tell a guy no takeoff and go straighten himself out. FAA could give these controllers more discreton...'YOU SOUND TOO OLD OR STUPID TO FLY TODAY...' Weve all heard ATC of some pilots before the crash.
  • @docnele
    Look, this was in 2009. How about making that clear in your video?
  • @rael5469
    N5025G. AIRCRAFT Van's RV-7A. This aircraft was involved in an engine stoppage in 2012 with "substantial damage."