FAA aims to fire two LaGuardia air traffic controllers who left work before fatal Air Canada crash

Two air traffic controllers departed early from their shift at New York's LaGuardia Airport, an hour prior to the scheduled shift end, just before a deadly collision occurred between an Air Canada aircraft and a fire truck, according to a preliminary report cited by The Wall Street Journal. The controllers left work around an hour before their shift was set to conclude, leaving the control tower understaffed during the fatal incident.

The crash, which claimed the lives of two Air Canada pilots, was captured on surveillance footage on March 22, showing the plane striking the rescue vehicle as they crossed its path, resulting in both vehicles plummeting down the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly planning to terminate the employment of the two controllers who left work early, as stated by The Wall Street Journal.

LaGuardia Airport was managing more than twice its typical volume of traffic at the time of the accident, and taking leave early is known as "early shoving" in the aviation sector, a common informal allowance granted to staff after exceptionally demanding shifts. The FAA has affirmed its commitment to holding employees accountable and ensuring safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System.

During the preliminary investigation, communication failures and inadequate equipment were identified as significant factors, with one error occurring when air traffic controllers provided clearance for the fire truck to cross the runway while the plane was approaching. Despite a subsequent correction by another controller, one fire truck occupant failed to recognize the transmission's intended recipient.

The lack of a transponder on the fire engine further exacerbated the situation, as it would have automatically alerted air traffic controllers of the impending collision. This was the first fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport since 1992, and recent deadly air crashes in the United States include a collision between a passenger jet and an army helicopter near Washington in January 2025, which resulted in 67 fatalities.