FAA moves to fire two controllers who left work before fatal LaGuardia collision, source says
The Federal Aviation Administration is pursuing disciplinary action, including potential termination, against two air traffic controllers who left their posts about an hour early before a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport. The crash involved an Air Canada jet and a fire truck, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The controllers' early departure left only two people in the tower to manage a flurry of flights and a separate ground emergency. This move has sparked a broader debate regarding staffing levels and a common practice known as the early shove.
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- ✓ Two air traffic controllers left their posts at LaGuardia Airport about an hour before a fatal crash.
- ✓ An Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck on the runway, killing both pilots.
- ✓ The FAA is pursuing disciplinary action against the two controllers, which may include firing them.
What changed
New reports specify the controllers left approximately one hour early and that only two people remained in the tower to manage flights and a ground emergency.
Live updates
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FAA seeks to fire two LaGuardia controllers who left shift early
The Federal Aviation Administration is pursuing disciplinary action, including potential termination, against two air traffic controllers who left their posts about an hour early before a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport. The crash involved an Air Canada jet and a fire truck, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The controllers' early departure left only two people in the tower to manage a flurry of flights and a separate ground emergency. This move has sparked a broader debate regarding staffing levels and a common practice known as the early shove.
Why it matters
The incident occurred during a high-workload shift where controllers were managing multiple aircraft and an emergency. Veteran staff claim supervisors often allowed overworked employees to leave early as a reward. The FAA is now determining if these departures contributed to the fatal accident.
What is confirmed
- Two air traffic controllers left their posts at LaGuardia Airport about an hour before a fatal crash.
- An Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck on the runway, killing both pilots.
- The FAA is pursuing disciplinary action against the two controllers, which may include firing them.
Still unconfirmed
- Veteran controllers say shift supervisors commonly let overworked staff go home early as a reward.
- The early departures left only two people in the tower to handle a flurry of flights and a ground emergency.
- The FAA's actions are triggering a debate over staffing and a practice called the early shove.
What to watch next
- Official FAA determination on whether the early departures caused the collision
- Final decision on the employment status of the two controllers
- NTSB findings on tower staffing levels during the crash
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- ny1.com — 1 dead, 14 hurt in fire at Bronx building, FDNY says
- www.yahoo.com — FAA Fires Two LaGuardia Controllers For Leaving Work Early Before Fatal Crash
- www.newsday.com — 2 LaGuardia air traffic controllers left work an hour early before deadly crash, AP source says
- www.baltimoresun.com — 2 LaGuardia air traffic controllers left work an hour early before deadly crash, AP source says
- www.chicagotribune.com — 2 LaGuardia air traffic controllers left work an hour early before deadly crash, AP source says
- www.boisestatepublicradio.org — What to know about FAA moves to fire two controllers after deadly LaGuardia crash
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FAA seeks to fire two controllers after fatal LaGuardia collision
The Federal Aviation Administration is moving to terminate two air traffic controllers who left their shifts early on the night of a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport. The incident involved an Air Canada jet and a fire truck. While the FAA takes disciplinary action, other controllers interviewed by Reuters described the workload during that specific shift as busy. The agency is pursuing these firings following determinations that the employees departed their posts prematurely before the crash occurred.
Why it matters
This action follows a deadly ground collision between an aircraft and emergency equipment. The timing of staff departures raises questions about staffing levels and operational safety during high-workload periods.
What is confirmed
- The FAA is taking steps to fire two air traffic controllers who left work early.
- An Air Canada aircraft collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.
- The collision at LaGuardia was fatal.
Still unconfirmed
- Controllers interviewed by Reuters described the workload that night as busy.
What to watch next
- Official FAA report on the cause of the collision
- Results of the disciplinary hearings for the two controllers
- Statements from the air traffic controllers' union regarding staffing levels
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters — FAA moves to fire two controllers who left work before fatal LaGuardia collision, source says
- The New York Times — F.A.A. Moves to Fire 2 Controllers Who Left Early Before Deadly Crash
- CNN — 2 air traffic controllers left work early the night an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia, source says
- Bloomberg — FAA Seeks to Fire LaGuardia Traffic Controllers Who Left Early Before Fatal Crash
- Newser — Two Controllers Reportedly Left Early Before Fatal Crash
- www.straitstimes.com — FAA moves to fire two controllers who left work before fatal LaGuardia collision: Sources
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- www.yahoo.com — Milton pays $10 million to settle Yale student's death
- www.union-bulletin.com — FAA Seeks to fire LaGuardia air traffic controllers who left early before fatal crash
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