Two LaGuardia Airport air traffic controllers reportedly left work early before March’s deadly runway collision, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to possibly fire them.
FAA officials discovered that the two left about an hour before their shifts ended, meaning the two remaining controllers did not have reinforcement to assist with high workloads, according to multiple sources.
The airport was reportedly dealing with over twice the usual volume of traffic the night of March 22 when an Air Canada Express plane crashed into a fire truck at the New York City airport.
The collision killed the pilot and co-pilot. Multiple others, including a crew member, passengers and workers, sustained serious injuries, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Dozens of people aboard the plane and two rescue officers were taken to local hospitals.
“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,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. “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.”
He added, “We will not tolerate fraud, and we are taking appropriate action to hold folks accountable and prevent unlawful practices from disrupting the traveling public.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said it was discussing the situation with leadership at the FAA, which has not confirmed whether the two controllers will be formally fired.
“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,” the union said in a statement.
The two employees who reportedly left took an early shove, an informal workplace practice where air traffic controllers receive permission from supervisors to leave work early during slow periods while still receiving a full day’s pay.
Many controllers work heavy schedules, including mandatory six-day workweeks due to national staffing shortages.
But the FAA classifies early shoves as a form of unrecorded leave and timecard fraud, and government officials noted that the practice reduces necessary backup staff in control towers and disrupts safe airspace management.
