“Use Extreme Caution” – Delta Pilot Alerted To Report Of “Rocket Launcher”

A Delta Air Lines pilot approaching New York City’s LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday received a warning from air traffic control (ATC) to be on the lookout for a possible “man portable air defense system,” otherwise known as a “MANPAD.”

“MANPAD alert issued at LaGuardia Airport at 0027,” ATC said.

“Use extreme caution,” it added.

“Can you explain what a MANPAD is?” the Delta pilot asked.

“Yeah, that’s a man portable air defense system. Yeah, it’s – basically it was a report of a rocket launcher,” ATC responded.

“There was a report by the Port Authority police, and they said by, I believe Terminal C. We’ve had conflicting reports, but nothing has been an issue as of yet,” ATC continued.

The threat was later reported as “non-credible.”

“The Port Authority said police searched the airport after receiving information from an unidentified caller, but determined the threat was unfounded,” CBS News wrote.

“Officials said there was no credible threat to the traveling public or airport operations, and the incident remains under investigation,” it added.

Take a listen:

"Use extreme caution": A Delta Air Lines pilot approaching New York's LaGuardia Airport was warned by air traffic control Tuesday to be on the lookout for a possible man-portable air defense system, or MANPADS, following a reported threat. The Port Authority said police searched… pic.twitter.com/RnzGbtm4Qk

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 22, 2026

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5 Towns Central explained further:

According to aviation communications recorded around 12:27 a.m., air traffic control personnel broadcast a formal advisory to approaching aircraft regarding a potential ground-to-air missile threat near Terminal C. Controllers alerted incoming commercial flights—including a inbound domestic airliner—to exercise extreme caution while executing landings on active runways. Radio transmissions confirmed that tower staff provided clarifications to flight crews regarding the specific nature of the reported security concern.

Law enforcement agencies and airport security personnel immediately investigated the surrounding terminal grounds and perimeter areas to verify the claim. Following a comprehensive sweep of the premises, authorities determined that the initial report was completely uncredible and posed no actual danger to aviation operations or passengers.

Officials confirmed that normal flight schedules and airfield activities continued without major disruption, operational pauses, or terminal evacuations resulting from the advisory. Law enforcement maintains standard security protocols across all airport facilities, and no injuries or equipment damages occurred in connection with the incident.

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“So nonchalant about a possible man with a military-grade ROCKET LAUNCHER at the terminal. It turned out NOT to be a credible threat, thankfully,” journalist Nick Sortor commented.

“For those unfamiliar, MANPADS stands for Man-Portable Air-Defense System. I could only find one other MANPADS Alert in recent US history, and that was at LAX in 2013. And that wasn’t credible either,” he added.

NEW: MANPADS ALERT issued at LaGuardia Airport in NYC tonight amid reports of a man armed a PORTABLE ROCKET LAUNCHER at Terminal C

Incoming flights were warned to “USE EXTREME CAUTION” by Air Traffic Control

ATC: “Delta 2604… clear to land. MANPADS alert issued at LaGuardia… pic.twitter.com/U5ahmFLmN7

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 22, 2026

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Meanwhile, New York City had numerous travel disruptions on Tuesday caused by severe weather.

GOTHAM CITY

: New York City is under a dark, gloomy atmosphere as a Tornado Watch and Flash Flood Warning are in effect amid ongoing severe weather.#Newyorkcity #Flooding #FOXWeather pic.twitter.com/4fBxWr7zFX

— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 21, 2026

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ABC7 New York has more:

Rounds of severe storms triggered downpours, flash flooding, damaging winds and possible tornadoes on Tuesday, just days after storms walloped New York City and the Tri-State area over the weekend.

The second dose of dangerous storms led to tornado warnings and watches being issued by the National Weather Service, which have since expired as the severe weather conditions move offshore.

Parts of New Jersey were particularly hard-hit by Tuesday’s storms, including Stanhope, where a possible tornado was spotted.

A video posted on social media also showed a funnel cloud on the ground at a golf center in Parsippany, about one mile north of the Troy Hills area.

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Watch more below:


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