Two air traffic controllers left tower early before fatal LaGuardia collision

American aviation authorities are looking into claims that two air traffic controllers left the control tower at LaGuardia Airport significantly earlier than their scheduled shift end on the evening of March 22, shortly before a fatal accident on the runway.

A Bombardier CRJ900 operated by Air Canada Express, flight AC8646 arriving from Montreal, collided with a fire truck after landing on runway 04. Both pilots on board were killed. The fire vehicle had reportedly been on its way toward a United Airlines Boeing 737 elsewhere on the airport grounds.

According to a source familiar with the investigation cited by the Wall Street Journal, the two controllers departed noticeably before their shift was due to finish, though the exact amount of time is unclear. The source said it was not merely a matter of a few minutes early.

Both controllers have since been placed on leave and are not currently handling air traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly reviewing possible disciplinary action, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said it is in discussions with FAA leadership about the matter, without confirming specific details of any disciplinary process.

Investigators have not established whether the early departure of the controllers had any bearing on the collision. The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not released further findings on its cause.