The Federal Aviation Administration is moving to fire two air traffic controllers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after finding they allegedly left work early before the March collision between an Air Canada regional jet and a fire truck that killed both pilots. The case centres on staffing in the tower at one of the country’s busiest airports and has prompted renewed scrutiny of controller attendance, leave practices and runway oversight.
The alleged departures, reported as occurring about an hour before the end of the shifts, are being treated as timecard fraud under an internal FAA review. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is discussing the allegations with FAA leadership. The agency has also framed the action as part of a broader effort to enforce accountability while protecting the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.
The collision on 22 March triggered an NTSB investigation that has not yet reached a final conclusion on the role of tower staffing. The new disciplinary move does not alter the accident inquiry, but it adds pressure on the FAA as it faces wider questions about controller workload, backup coverage and supervision in busy tower environments.