Two Air Canada pilots were killed when a regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck after landing at LaGuardia Airport, and new disclosures show two American air traffic controllers left their positions early in the hours leading up to the incident. The union representing those controllers confirmed the allegations, though it did not provide additional detail about the departures.
The crash occurred in March at LaGuardia, the same day the emergency response remained on scene as investigators assessed the collision that ended with the Air Canada jet coming to rest on the tarmac and two pilots losing their lives. Authorities have not released further information about the sequence of events inside the control tower or how the early departures may have intersected with the landing operation.
Witnesses and officials have described the aftermath as chaotic, with emergency crews stationed around the aircraft and the fire truck involved in the collision. Investigators focused on gathering data to determine how the accident occurred and whether any procedural lapses contributed to the tragedy.
The union’s statement marks a new development in the ongoing examination of air traffic operations at LaGuardia on the night of the incident. Details about which positions were affected, the exact timing of the departures, and any potential impact on air traffic flow have not been released publicly by the union or the authorities.
As investigators continue to review flight data, air traffic control procedures, and the events surrounding the crash, families of the victims and the traveling public await clearer answers about what happened that night and what changes, if any, will follow to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
