The Federal Aviation Administration is moving to fire two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport for allegedly leaving their shifts early on the night of a deadly runway collision in March, according to a government source familiar with the investigation. The FAA has confirmed it is pursuing disciplinary action against the controllers, citing timecard fraud as the basis for termination.
The controllers departed approximately one hour before their scheduled shifts ended on March 22, leaving only two controllers on duty in the tower during a period of unusually high air traffic. The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m. when an Air Canada Express plane collided with a fire truck on the runway, killing the two pilots and injuring six others on the ground. The airport was experiencing more than double its typical traffic volume due to thunderstorms and disruptions that evening.
The FAA has characterized early departures as a form of timecard fraud, stating that such actions unfairly burden remaining staff and compromise airspace safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the agency's stance in a statement: “The vast majority of air-traffic controllers are great patriots — they show up for work, complete their full shift, and come back and do it all again. But 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.”
The controllers' union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, has stated it is discussing the allegations with FAA officials. The union highlighted the broader challenges facing air traffic controllers, noting that staffing shortages and high workloads are persistent issues across the industry. A spokesperson for the union said: “What should not be ignored is the extraordinary dedication of the thousands of air-traffic controllers who report to work every day, often under extremely challenging staffing conditions, and remain focused on keeping the flying public safe.”
Federal investigators, including the National Transportation Safety Board, have not yet released a final report on the collision. However, the NTSB has previously noted concerns about staffing levels and fatigue among controllers, particularly during overnight shifts. The FAA has terminated more than 10 controllers this year for alleged timecard fraud or abuse of leave policies, according to reports.
The early departure practice, referred to within the industry as an “early shove,” has been described by current and former controllers as an informal perk during busy periods. The FAA, however, views it as a violation of workplace policies and has taken a firm stance against such behavior. The agency has not publicly identified the controllers involved in the March 22 incident.