Two LaGuardia Air Traffic Controllers Face Termination After Fatal Crash

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — Two air traffic controllers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport are under investigation for leaving their posts an hour early on the night of a fatal crash involving...

Editorial Desk

August 30, 2026 2 Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — Two air traffic controllers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport are under investigation for leaving their posts an hour early on the night of a fatal crash involving an Air Canada jet and a fire truck, according to a government source. The March 22 incident resulted in the deaths of both pilots aboard the Air Canada plane.

The source, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering disciplinary action, including possible termination, against the two controllers. The controllers’ early departure left only two people in the tower to manage a surge in flights and an emergency situation on the ground.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has stated that it is in discussions with FAA leadership regarding these allegations. The practice of leaving early, known as an early shove, is reportedly common nationwide, especially when a required break falls at the end of a shift.

Tom Lintner, a former FAA employee, criticized the practice, emphasizing that controllers should work their full shifts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the actions as timecard fraud, highlighting the importance of full-shift attendance for air traffic controllers.

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The NTSB has identified several factors contributing to the crash, including inadequate staffing in the tower and the fire truck’s lack of a transponder, which prevented the control tower from predicting a potential conflict with the landing plane. The official cause of the crash is expected to be determined in the NTSB’s final report, likely to be released next year.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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