Two air traffic controllers left work early before fatal collision at La Guardia

A catastrophic collision at New York's La Guardia Airport on March 22, which claimed the lives of two pilots, has been linked to the early departure of two air traffic controllers. The incident involved an Air Canada passenger jet and a fire truck on the tarmac.

Multiple media outlets, citing sources including The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, reported that the two controllers had left their posts approximately one hour before their scheduled shift end. This premature departure resulted in an understaffed control tower, with only two controllers reportedly on duty at the time of the crash.

Investigations revealed that the fire truck had been granted permission to cross the runway. Less than two minutes later, the Air Canada plane received clearance to land on the same runway. According to CBC, a controller in the tower realized the error mere seconds after the fire truck was authorized to move.

Distressed "stop" commands were heard over the radio, but the fire truck driver apparently did not realize the instructions were meant for him. The investigation also found that the fire truck lacked a transmitter that would have automatically alerted air traffic control to the impending collision. The passenger jet slid over 100 meters after the impact.

While the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly planning to dismiss the controllers who left early, the incident has sparked broader discussions about chronic staffing shortages within air traffic control. Some current and former controllers have noted that leaving shifts early is a common, albeit unofficial, practice at many airports, especially after a demanding workday.

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