The Federal Aviation Administration is moving to terminate two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport who left their shifts about an hour early on March 22, 2026, the night an Air Canada Express plane collided with a Port Authority fire truck, killing two pilots. Both controllers remain on leave amid the FAA’s disciplinary process.
March 2026 Crash Killed Two Pilots and Injured Dozens
On March 22, 2026, Air Canada Express Flight 8646 traveling from Montreal to New York’s LaGuardia Airport collided with a Port Authority rescue and firefighting vehicle responding to an unrelated emergency. The crash killed Capt. Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, the aircraft’s two pilots.
Thirty-nine people, including the two firefighters in the truck, were hospitalized. Flight attendant Solange Tremblay sustained leg fractures after being thrown from the plane. The collision forced LaGuardia Airport to shut down operations for more than 12 hours.
Controller Staffing and Early Departure Practices
The night of the accident, two controllers were on duty in the LaGuardia tower, the standard staffing level for that shift. However, one controller managed both ground and air traffic simultaneously, while the other handled a separate emergency involving an aircraft that arrived with smoke in the cockpit. The FAA investigation found both controllers left their shifts approximately one hour early before
the collision occurred. This practice, commonly called ‘early shove,’ is often used by controllers due to persistent staffing shortages but is considered timecard fraud.
Official Responses and FAA Commitment to Accountability
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commended the majority of air traffic controllers for fulfilling their duties but stressed the need to address those who breach protocols. “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,” Duffy said. The FAA stated it is committed to holding employees accountable and refuses to compromise safety or efficiency
in the National Airspace System. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association indicated it is engaged in ongoing discussions with the FAA regarding the allegations.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Reporting
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report in April 2026 but has yet to determine the final cause of the collision. The NTSB expects to publish a comprehensive report within 12 to 24 months. The FAA’s disciplinary actions against the two controllers are separate from the NTSB investigation. Staffing shortages remain a challenge, with many controllers working six days per week, contributing to practices such as early shift departures.
