The Federal Aviation Administration plans to fire two air traffic controllers for leaving work early during a crash at LaGuardia Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration is moving to fire two air traffic controllers who left work an hour early on the night an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The crash, which occurred on March 23, killed both pilots and left dozens of passengers injured. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the administration will not tolerate timecard fraud, noting that while many controllers are dedicated, a small percentage of individuals taking advantage of the American taxpayer must be held accountable. The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report indicated that one controller was handling both ground and air traffic simultaneously, a task usually performed by two people. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is currently in discussions with FAA leadership regarding the disciplinary actions. The FAA remains committed to maintaining the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.