Pothole in runway caused big delays at LaGuardia Airport

Jim Dolan Image
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Pothole causes big delays at LaGuardia Airport
Jim Dolan reports from LaGuardia Airport.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A pothole in the runway caused major delays for travelers at LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday night.

Runway 13/31 was closed for several hours backing up dozens up planes Wednesday evening.

Passengers took to social media to report the long lines on the runway. Passengers faced delays up to two hours.

A pilot spotted the pothole first.

"Do you have room to take off?" ATC said.

"I'm not sure it looks like something completely blew off," a pilot said.

"He is reporting debris on the right side of the runway can we have someone check that out?" ATC said.

"I'm on the 22 deck heading over to the runway now," the pilot said.

"Hold your position, need to get debris off the runway," ATC said. "We need to get this stuff on the runway first."

Traffic was backed up like the FDR at rush hour and no one was moving.

The 8x2 foot pothole has since been repaired and the runway has reopened.

The FAA and PA are investigating what caused the pothole.