On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express flight collided with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport, New York City, killing the two pilots onboard. Air Canada Express Flight 8646 was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew when the incident occurred shortly after clearance to land on Runway 4 at approximately 11:35 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pursuing the termination of two LaGuardia Airport air traffic controllers who left their posts early on the night of the collision. Both controllers are currently on leave and have not been controlling air traffic since the
incident. FAA officials stated their departures were not by a few minutes but significantly early, raising concerns about timecard fraud known as an “early shove.”
Details of the Collision
The fire truck involved was crossing the taxiway to respond to an unrelated incident when the collision took place. The plane was traveling at over 100 mph at the time of impact. Surface detection systems at LaGuardia did not generate any alerts before the collision occurred. Audio recordings captured an air traffic controller urgently instructing the fire truck to stop moments before the crash, though it remains unclear if the driver heard or understood the
command.
Controller Staffing and Roles
Only two air traffic controllers were on duty that night at LaGuardia’s control tower: a local controller managing active runways and airspace, and a controller-in-charge overseeing overall traffic and pilot clearance. Due to an emergency earlier in the night, one controller was managing both ground and air traffic operations simultaneously, contrary to FAA policy established after a 1997 crash advising against combined positions after midnight. The early departure of the controllers is being treated as a prohibited practice and a form of timecard fraud.
Official Reactions and Statements
The FAA stated it is committed to enforcing accountability and maintaining the safety and efficiency
of the National Airspace System. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the fraudulent early departures and emphasized that the government will take necessary actions to prevent unlawful practices that disrupt travel.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, representing the controllers, said it is actively discussing the allegations with FAA leadership and considers those talks the proper venue for resolving the issues.
Post-Incident Audio and Investigation
Approximately 18 minutes after the collision, a disturbed air traffic controller was recorded speaking with a Frontier Airlines pilot, expressing remorse over the incident and acknowledging errors while managing an earlier emergency. The pilot responded with words of support,
emphasizing efforts made under difficult circumstances.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the incident, with participation from both the FAA and NATCA. A final investigative report, including probable cause and contributing factors, is expected within 12 to 24 months.
Controller shortages have contributed to situations requiring multitasking roles and early shift departures at LaGuardia, despite prior FAA policy aimed at preventing controller position combinations during overnight hours.
