Two air traffic controllers left early, causing a passenger plane to collide with a fire truck. The FAA plans to fire them.
Civil Aviation Resource Network, August 28, 2026: According to sources, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking steps to dismiss two air traffic controllers.
An investigation has determined that the two controllers left their posts early before the fatal collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport in March of this year. The nose of the plane was torn apart; both the captain and first officer perished.
Unnamed sources indicated that this personnel action is part of a series of measures by the Trump administration to crack down on air traffic controllers leaving early and abusing sick leave; related information has not yet been made public.
"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is committed to employee accountability and will never compromise the safety and operational efficiency of the national airspace system," the FAA stated in an emailed statement.
The FAA also stated that it is expanding its air traffic controller workforce through recruitment.
"Leaving early" is a long-standing informal practice: during off-peak hours, controllers can leave early with supervisor approval while still receiving full pay.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Thursday that the FAA is conducting a broad investigation into alleged time-farming fraud and has initiated termination proceedings against two controllers.