{"id":191468,"date":"2026-08-27T15:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=191468"},"modified":"2026-08-28T12:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:16:21","slug":"investigation-reveals-two-controllers-left-posts-prior-to-air-canada-aircraft-and-fire-truck-collision-at-laguardia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2026\/08\/investigation-reveals-two-controllers-left-posts-prior-to-air-canada-aircraft-and-fire-truck-collision-at-laguardia.html","title":{"rendered":"Investigation Reveals Two Controllers Left Posts Prior to Air Canada Aircraft and Fire Truck Collision at LaGuardia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) <\/strong>has initiated proceedings to terminate two air traffic controllers assigned to New York\u2019s LaGuardia Airport. According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, officials determined that both employees departed the control tower approximately one hour before their shift officially ended on the night of March 22. As a result of this premature departure, the two remaining controllers in the tower lacked the required backup staffing to manage an exceptionally high volume of operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the night of the incident, the congested New York airport was handling more than double its typical air traffic volume. The runway collision between the Air Canada regional jet and the emergency vehicle resulted in the deaths of two pilots and severely injured six other individuals, including a crew member, passengers, and ground handling personnel, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice of the “Early Shove” and the Institutional Crackdown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving work prior to the end of an official shift is known in operational jargon as an “early shove”. Although historically viewed by controllers and supervisors as an informal perk following intense work periods, the FAA classifies this conduct as time and attendance fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The enforcement actions taken against the LaGuardia controllers reflect a more aggressive stance by the U.S. government regarding this practice. Sources close to the agency indicate that so far this year, the FAA has moved to terminate the contracts of more than 10 controllers under allegations of time-card fraud or leave policy abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“The vast majority of air traffic controllers are great patriots\u2014they show up to work, complete their full shift, and return to do it again. But when a small percentage of individuals takes advantage of the American taxpayer, unfairly overburdens their colleagues, and impacts the airspace, we have no choice but to act. We will not tolerate fraud.”
\u2014 Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, experts and individuals familiar with internal proceedings indicate that the process to fire a controller can be lengthy and, on occasion, may result in lesser penalties or the reversal of the measure, as has occurred in other cases this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Union Position and Controller Staffing Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has engaged in discussions with FAA leadership regarding these allegations. In a formal statement, the union representation emphasized the workforce’s dedication:<\/p>\n\n\n\n