A federal investigation has found that two air traffic controllers left their posts approximately one hour before the end of their scheduled shifts on the night of a deadly collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now moving to terminate the employment of the two controllers following its review of the circumstances surrounding the March accident, in which an Air Canada aircraft collided with a Port Authority fire vehicle on the runway.
The crash killed the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot and injured 41 other people. The plane reportedly struck the emergency vehicle at high speed, severely damaging the cockpit and prompting an extensive investigation into airport staffing, runway coordination and operational procedures.
According to the findings reported by ABC7 New York, the two controllers departed around an hour early on the night of the collision. The revelation has raised questions about whether the tower was operating with sufficient personnel and whether their absence affected communications or oversight before the crash.
Authorities have not publicly concluded that the controllers’ early departure directly caused the collision. Investigators are continuing to examine multiple factors, including communications between the control tower and aircraft, the positioning of the fire vehicle, runway instructions and staffing levels at the time.
The FAA’s decision to pursue the controllers’ dismissal nevertheless indicates that the agency considers their conduct a serious violation of workplace and aviation safety requirements.
The findings are likely to intensify scrutiny of air traffic control staffing at major US airports. The aviation system has faced persistent concerns about staffing shortages, employee fatigue and the pressure placed on controllers responsible for managing increasingly busy airspace.
LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports serving the New York metropolitan area, handling hundreds of flights every day within some of the most complex airspace in the United States. Even minor failures in communication or coordination can carry significant risks when aircraft, ground vehicles and emergency crews operate near active runways.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and additional findings may determine whether procedural failures or staffing decisions contributed to the accident. The FAA is also expected to assess whether further disciplinary action, operational reforms or changes to staffing policies are required to prevent a similar incident.
The case has renewed demands for stronger accountability and stricter compliance with air traffic control procedures, particularly during overnight shifts and other periods when airport towers may be operating with reduced personnel.
