A Delta Airlines flight traveling from Detroit to New York’s LaGuardia Airport encountered a security alert when air traffic control reported a possible rocket launcher on the ground near the airport.
At approximately 8:53 p.m. Eastern Time, the control tower issued a MANPAD alert, urging pilots to use extreme caution during the aircraft’s descent.
The flight’s captain requested clarification, prompting the controller to explain that a MANPAD is a man‑portable air‑defense system, essentially a rocket launcher.
The controller added that the report originated from the Port Authority Police near Terminal C, noting that conflicting information had been received but no immediate danger had been confirmed.
The pilot acknowledged the warning and continued the approach, maintaining communication with the tower.
Within two minutes, officials determined the alert to be a non‑credible threat, and no further details about the incident have been released.
