On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express flight arriving from Montreal collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a LaGuardia Airport runway, killing two pilots and injuring dozens.
The collision claimed the lives of Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther. A total of 39 people, including two Port Authority workers in the fire truck, were transported to hospitals. One flight attendant, Solange Tremblay, suffered leg fractures after being thrown from the aircraft that carried 72 passengers and four crew members on its one-hour flight from Montreal to LaGuardia.
FAA Investigation Reveals Controllers Left Posts Early
The Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation found that two
air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport left their shifts approximately one hour early on the night of the accident. That night, the tower was staffed with two controllers as per standard procedure for the shift.
One controller managed dual responsibilities simultaneously while the other handled a separate emergency. This arrangement bypassed a longstanding rule, issued following a similar 1997 crash at LaGuardia, forbidding combining controller positions before midnight.
The FAA is currently continuing its inquiry, with a final report expected within 12 to 24 months. The agency has linked the controllers leaving their posts early, a practice internally called “early
shove,” to staffing shortages that require some to work six days a week.
FAA Takes Disciplinary Action Against Controllers
The FAA announced it is seeking to fire both controllers who left early. Both are currently on leave and have been removed from air traffic control duties at LaGuardia. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is engaged in discussions with FAA leadership regarding the allegations.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the early departure of the controllers. He said: “The vast majority of air traffic controllers are great patriots — they show up for work, complete their full shift, and come back and do it all again.
But when a small percentage of individuals take advantage of the American taxpayer, unfairly add additional work to their fellow controllers, and impact the airspace — we have no choice but to act. We will not tolerate fraud, and we are taking appropriate action to hold folks accountable and prevent unlawful practices from disrupting the traveling public.”
The union representing controllers stated: “We believe those discussions are the appropriate forum for addressing the matter.” The FAA also emphasized its commitment to accountability and maintaining safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System.
Impact on LaGuardia Operations and Industry Context
The collision caused LaGuardia Airport to shut down
for more than 12 hours following the incident. The event revealed systemic issues including well-known staffing shortages which pressure controllers to work extended days, contributing to early departures from shifts.
The FAA investigation noted that the controllers’ early departure directly breached operational orders designed to prevent workload combining before midnight.
Known Facts and Ongoing Questions
The investigation has not yet determined the final cause or all contributing factors behind the March 22 collision. The FAA has not disclosed any further disciplinary measures beyond the planned termination of the two controllers. No information has been released about current or future flight disruptions resulting from the FAA’s
disciplinary actions.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to examine the crash, with a comprehensive report expected within the next 12 to 24 months.
