Investigation Reveals Two Controllers Left Posts Prior to Air Canada Aircraft and Fire Truck Collision at LaGuardia
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated proceedings to terminate two air traffic controllers assigned to New York’s LaGuardia Airport. According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Wall Street Journal, 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.
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.
Practice of the “Early Shove” and the Institutional Crackdown
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.
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.
“The vast majority of air traffic controllers are great patriots—they 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.”
— Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
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.
Union Position and Controller Staffing Status
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:
- Operational Dedication: They highlighted the dedication of the thousands of controllers who report to their posts daily.
- Staffing Challenges: They stressed that controllers frequently provide service under extremely complex staffing conditions.
- Commitment to Safety: They affirmed that the staff’s constant focus remains on ensuring the safety of the flying public.
To mitigate critical staffing shortages—a significant factor driving flight delays—the FAA reported hiring over 2,000 controllers so far this year, reaching 94% of its 2026 hiring target. The agency currently employs approximately 11,000 fully certified controllers, with 4,000 more in the training pipeline.
Precedent at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport and Reconstruction of the Accident
The 2021 Washington Incident
The issue of “early shoves” had previously raised alarms. In 2021, following a near-miss incident involving the Marine Corps helicopter carrying then-Vice President Kamala Harris, investigations at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport revealed that several controllers had left their posts early. Although the practice was found to be widespread, the agency opted at that time against imposing severe penalties because management routinely tolerated it.
Critical Factors on the Night of the Tragedy
Staffing levels during night or midnight shifts remain a recurring concern for the NTSB. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated during a press conference that investigators would thoroughly analyze tower staffing to verify actual personnel availability at the time of the event.
The collision at LaGuardia occurred following a complex night marked by thunderstorms and severe traffic disruptions:
- A United Airlines crew aborted takeoff twice and subsequently declared an emergency.
- A controller cleared a responding fire truck to cross the active runway.
- Simultaneously, Air Canada Express Flight 8646 was cleared to land on the same runway, triggering the impact.
The NTSB confirmed that the investigation into the LaGuardia accident remains open to determine what role staffing shortages played in the event. Because aviation disasters are typically the result of a multi-factorial chain of failures, the board expects that determining the final probable cause will require a year or more of exhaustive analysis.
Related Topics
Copa Airlines Resumes Caracas Flights in September Following Earthquakes
Aerolíneas Argentinas Boosts International Network With Two New Southern Summer Destinations: Curaçao and Cartagena
Copa Airlines Requests Authorization to Operate Flights to Montería, Colombia
Wingo Strengthens Caribbean Connectivity with New Direct Route Between Bogotá and Puerto Plata
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.