At 21:03:07, Flight 52 contacted the NY TRACON final controller who cleared them to descend progressively to . At 21:03:46, the flight crew discussed the go-around procedures. At 21:09:29, flight engineer Moyano stated that the controllers "already know that we are in bad condition." The captain said, "No they are descending us," and the second officer added, "They are giving us priority." At 21:11:07, the NY TRACON final vector controller informed the flight that they were fifteen miles from the outer marker and instructed them to maintain an altitude of "until established on the localizer." The flight crew began preparing for an instrument landing approach, extending flaps and discussing the appropriate airspeed. The final controller instructed the flight crew to contact the JFK tower controllers and signed off. Klotz acknowledged the transmission.