The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking to terminate two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport following a fatal collision on March 22. The agency's action stems from allegations that the controllers left their posts approximately an hour before an Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck, resulting in the deaths of two pilots.
The incident occurred shortly after the Air Canada jet landed at the New York airport. The collision killed Capt. Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther. Additionally, 39 people, including two Port Authority workers in the fire truck, were transported to area hospitals, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) preliminary report released in April. One flight attendant sustained fractures to her leg.
Sources familiar with the investigation informed ABC News on Thursday about the FAA's intention to dismiss the unidentified controllers. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the FAA's move.
During the shift when the crash occurred, the NTSB report noted there were typically two controllers assigned to the LaGuardia tower. However, on the night of the incident, one controller was reportedly managing two separate roles, while the other was coordinating a different emergency.
Staffing shortages are a known issue within air traffic control, leading to situations where controllers work six days a week. This can sometimes result in controllers leaving early, according to the NTSB.
The NTSB investigation into the final cause of the collision is ongoing, with a comprehensive report expected within 12 to 24 months.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation, stating, "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." He added, "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. 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, the union representing the controllers, confirmed it is "discussing these allegations with FAA leadership." The union stated that it believes "those discussions are the appropriate forum for addressing the matter."