Flight controllers allegedly punched out early before Air Canada plane crash
Two air traffic controllers are facing potential termination following allegations that they left their posts early before a fatal collision between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The incident, which killed two pilots, is currently under investigation by the FAA and the NTSB.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical safety and staffing concerns within the aviation industry and the potential for human error in air traffic management.
The union representing American air traffic controllers has acknowledged allegations that two members left work early shortly before an Air Canada regional jet crashed at LaGuardia Airport in March, killing two pilots.
U.S. media reports suggest the Federal Aviation Administration is looking to fire the two flight controllers, who allegedly clocked out roughly an hour before their shift ended, leaving a pair of colleagues at the LaGuardia tower without backup.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association confirmed the allegations, first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, in an emailed statement.
“NATCA is actively discussing these allegations with FAA leadership. We believe those discussions are the appropriate forum for addressing the matter,” the union said.
The U.S. federal agency has not addressed the accusations directly but said it is “committed to holding employees accountable.”
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