Two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport left their posts early on the night of March 22, 2026, shortly before an Air Canada Express flight collided with a Port Authority fire truck on Runway 4, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of passengers.
Air Canada Express Flight 8646, arriving from Montreal to New York, was cleared to land at approximately 11:35 p.m. with 72 passengers and four crew aboard. The fire truck involved was crossing the taxiway responding to a separate airport emergency when the collision occurred.
Controller Roles and Early Departure
On that night, only two controllers were operating LaGuardia’s control tower: the local
controller, responsible for active runway and surrounding airspace, and the controller-in-charge, overseeing all air traffic operations. Both left about an hour early, a practice internally known as an “early shove” and considered timecard fraud. The two are currently on leave and not managing air traffic at the airport.
The departure led to unusual workload: one controller managed both local and ground operations, a practice prohibited at LaGuardia before midnight since a 1997 crash. The controller-in-charge was also managing a separate emergency involving smoke entering an aircraft cockpit during the same period.
FAA Disciplinary Actions and Union Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pursuing disciplinary action
against the controllers for their premature departure, which the agency sees as a significant factor contributing to the accident. The FAA stated, “The FAA is committed to holding employees accountable, and we will not compromise the safety or efficiency of the National Airspace System.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing controllers, confirmed ongoing discussions with FAA leadership regarding the allegations but declined to confirm any disciplinary measures, stating, “We believe those discussions are the appropriate forum for addressing the matter.” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the unlawful conduct, saying, “We will not tolerate fraud, and we are
taking appropriate action to hold folks accountable and prevent unlawful practices from disrupting the traveling public.”
Investigation and Incident Details
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the crash, with a final report expected in six months or more. Preliminary findings indicate that the combination of workload and early departure affected controller performance. The fire truck was authorized to cross Runway 4 shortly before the collision, and audio recordings captured a controller urgently instructing the vehicle to stop seconds prior to impact.
The plane was traveling over 100 mph at collision. Surface detection equipment failed to alert controllers of the impending crash.
Approximately 18 minutes after the collision, an air traffic controller expressed fault during radio communication with a Frontier Airlines pilot, saying, “I messed up.” The pilot replied, “You did the best you could.”
Impact on LaGuardia and Passengers
The collision killed both Air Canada Express pilots and injured dozens of passengers, including flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who suffered leg fractures after being thrown from the plane. Thirty-nine people, including two Port Authority firefighters involved in the crash, were transported to area hospitals.
LaGuardia Airport was shut down for more than 12 hours following the accident, disrupting operations on the night of March 22. The incident
has intensified scrutiny over staffing shortages and safety procedures in air traffic control at major U.S. hubs.
