Deadly LaGuardia Crash May Have Violated Airport Staffing Rules

Internal procedures show controllers may have been improperly merged into a single role before the fatal collision.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:55am

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According to internal procedures reviewed by Reuters, LaGuardia Airport's own rulebook may have been broken the night an Air Canada jet slammed into a fire truck, killing both pilots. Tower guidelines state that controllers handling runway traffic and those managing ground movements are not supposed to be merged into a single role before midnight or 90 minutes into a shift, whichever is later. The March 22 collision happened at 11:37 pm, and several controllers believe the runway controller was also working ground traffic.

Why it matters

The deadly crash comes amid chronic staffing shortages at airports nationwide, with controllers saying they are increasingly asked to combine positions even during heavy traffic periods. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating exactly who was doing what in the LaGuardia tower that night, as the incident raises questions about safety protocols and airport infrastructure.

The details

The National Transportation Safety Board is probing the roles of the two controllers who were on duty in the tower that night: a local controller and a controller-in-charge helping with departure clearances. However, it remains unclear who, if anyone, was officially assigned as ground controller. The Federal Aviation Administration said it is supporting the NTSB investigation and will act on any safety findings, while the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the area's major airports, is waiting for NTSB guidance before making any procedural changes.

  • The March 22 collision happened at 11:37 pm.
  • Tower guidelines state controllers are not supposed to be merged into a single role before midnight or 90 minutes into a shift, whichever is later.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Kathryn Garcia

Executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the area's major airports.

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What they’re saying

“We have conflicting information.”

— Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board

“The FAA has strong regulatory authority over our airports, including everything from the size of a runway, to the lights, to the signs.”

— Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board will continue its investigation to determine the exact roles and responsibilities of the controllers on duty the night of the fatal crash, and whether any airport procedures or staffing guidelines were violated.

The takeaway

This deadly incident at LaGuardia Airport highlights the critical importance of proper staffing and adherence to safety protocols at major airports, especially during periods of high traffic volume. The investigation will likely lead to recommendations to improve air traffic control procedures and airport infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.