Air traffic controllers left early before deadly NY crash, says report

Two air traffic controllers left their posts early before a devastating collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport, according to a preliminary investigation report, The Wall Street Journal reported. The controllers departed their shift about an hour before it was expected to conclude, leaving the control tower understaffed for the deadly crash that claimed the lives of two Air Canada pilots.

Surveillance footage captured the moment the plane slammed into a fire truck on March 22, causing both to plummet down the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly considering termination for the two controllers who left early, while LaGuardia Airport was dealing with more than double its typical flight volume at the time of the incident.

Leaving work early in the aviation sector is referred to as an "early shove" and is often granted as an informal benefit to staff after exceptionally challenging shifts. An FAA spokesperson affirmed their dedication to holding employees responsible and maintaining safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System. The preliminary report highlighted communication breakdowns and insufficient equipment, including the absence of a transponder on the fire truck, which could have automatically alerted controllers of the impending collision.

One of the controllers recognized the error but failed to convey the warning clearly to the fire crew. This unfortunate event marked LaGuardia's first fatal accident since 1992, adding to a list of recent high-profile air disasters in the United States, such as a collision between a passenger jet and an army helicopter near Washington in January 2025 that claimed 67 lives.