A Newark air traffic controller, Jonathan Stewart, has expressed concerns about returning to his job after several equipment failures led to communication breakdowns with pilots in late April and May. The incidents caused trauma leave for Stewart and several of his colleagues.
Stewart attributes the stress to the harrowing experience of witnessing two planes at risk of a mid-air collision while tracking them on paper due to radar failure. He also points out that staffing shortages contributed to the issue, as he was forced to use both radar and manual tracking methods.
Despite efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve air traffic communications, Stewart remains uncertain about his ability to return to work. The agency’s recent software update and plan to hire more controllers have provided some optimism, but Stewart is cautious, citing concerns over safety.
United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has assured the public that flying out of Newark is safe, but Stewart disagrees, stating that he will personally not fly out of the airport until he sees significant improvements in safety measures.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/newark-air-traffic-controller-interview-equipment-failures